Be prepared.
Save your poison center's number: 1-800-222-1222 (US only).
Save the webPOISONCONTROL online tool as a browser favorite.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping area of your home.
Store medicines and products in their original containers.
Store household products in a different place from food and medicine.
Use medicines safely.
Read the label before taking or giving medicine. Follow instructions exactly.
Ask your teen's pediatrician before giving any herbal medicine or supplement.
Monitor children closely when you allow them to take their own medicines.
Discuss inhalant abuse when you discuss drug and alcohol abuse.
Aerosol cans, air fresheners, gasoline, glue, hairspray, nitrous oxide, paint thinners, and spray paint can kill or cause permanent damage if abused.
Baby-sitting? Check out the poison prevention tips for the ages of the children you are watching.
Mold releases spores that germinate in moisture, warmth, and food. On food, the spores look like colorful fuzz. Drinks may have a bad smell, taste flat, or appear cloudy. Gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory problems and allergic reactions can occur after ingesting moldy food or drink. Some molds produce poisonous mycotoxins. It is best to avoid foods after their “use by” date.
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Poison Prevention Week was established in 1961 to promote public awareness about how to prevent and respond to poison incidents. You can prevent most unintentional poisonings, but when you need it, expert help is just a click or call away.
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Campylobacter is 1 of the most common causes of bacterial diarrhea. The illness is campylobacteriosis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and pain. Campylobacter is found on raw vegetables, dairy products, poultry, and meat. It is also in the stool of contaminated people and animals. Treatment is mostly supportive; stay hydrated.
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Adderall is a combination of 2 central nervous stimulants: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Its main use is the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In overdose, it can cause serious central nervous system and cardiovascular effects.
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Poison ivy can cause a rash if someone touches it, which is caused by oils in the plant. The rash can be severe enough to blister and itch for days or weeks. Most cases can be managed at home. Severe cases require medical attention. If these plants are burned, inhaling the smoke can cause severe breathing problems.
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Kombucha tea is a slightly effervescent, slightly alcoholic liquid for which many health claims are made. Home-brewed kombucha tea has been associated with several adverse health events. There are no scientific studies to support the many health claims made for kombucha tea, though it has a long history of use.
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Acrylamide is a chemical that can be created by cooking processes including baking, air frying, and toasting. Acrylamide is considered a probable human carcinogen based on the results of studies in laboratory animals. However, there is no conclusive evidence linking dietary acrylamide consumption to cancer in humans.
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Honey eye drops have recently gained popularity and have been touted to treat a variety of eye conditions, such as floaters, inflammation, cataracts, and glaucoma. Application of honey eye drops can not only be painful, but may cause damage to the eye.
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Fentanyl is a powerful opioid pain medication as well as a common contaminant found in illicit drugs. It can cause users to stop breathing, resulting in death. The antidote naloxone (Narcan) can reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose if given in time.
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Ethyl chloride is a local anesthetic agent that relieves pain by cooling the skin surface. Ethyl chloride abuse, which occurs when individuals intentionally inhale its vapors, can result in sleepiness, abnormal heart rhythms, and death. Ethyl chloride is flammable and can cause frostbite if used incorrectly.
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