The temperature is dropping and the winter weather is setting in. Many people are utilizing home heating systems, increasing the risk for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which can be deadly to humans and animals. According to the CDC, at least 420 people die in the U.S. every year from CO poisoning which is a completely… Read More

Holidays are exciting yet hectic times. Some festive items or products, like seasonal plants and evergreens, heirloom ornaments, and alcoholic beverages are potentially dangerous for young children. These safety tips can help keep the holidays safe and joyful. Food Preparations: Prepare as much of the holiday meals and/or party foods as far in advance as… Read More

Teachers can play a vital role in preventing poison exposures in the classroom. Here are some quick tips to help protect your students: Clean Hands, Happy Hearts: It is imperative that students and staff adhere to school procedures and engage in regular handwashing with soap and water. Key times for handwashing include after bathroom breaks,… Read More

In addition to getting your child ready to go back to school with the usual gathering of school supplies and new shoe shopping, teach them these basic back-to-school prevention tips! Playground poison safety: The poison center sometimes receives calls about schoolchildren eating plants or mushrooms they find on the playground. It can be very difficult… Read More

Spending time outside is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress, and get vitamin D. You can work and play outside without raising your skin cancer risk by protecting your skin from the sun. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Ultraviolet rays are an invisible kind… Read More

Household cleaners and disinfectants contain powerful ingredients to clean our environments and keep our homes healthy. These products should be handled with care to prevent exposure to fumes, spills and splashes, and accidental ingestion. Safe storage and handling of household cleaners and chemicals can protect you and your family from injury associated with exposure. To… Read More

Creatine and caffeine are two of the most used performance enhancing substances. Creatine is produced naturally by our body, and it is also found in protein-containing foods such as meat and fish. Creatine increases the energy that our muscles can use for contraction, which is the basis for its wide use to increase energy during… Read More

April showers don’t only bring May flowers—snakes come out of hibernation in the Spring. They are most active between the months of April and October. There are seven types of venomous snakes that inhabit the state of Georgia: the Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Copperhead (pictured to the left), Cottonmouth, and Coral Snake…. Read More

The start of Spring and Summer seasons means thunderstorms are brewing. When a bad thunderstorm causes a power outage, you may rely on a generator to power your home. Generators are great, generally safe tools when used correctly, but if used inappropriately, they can be hazardous. Unsafe generator use can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning,… Read More

Spring has sprung, which means it’s time for spring cleaning! Many household cleaning products contain ingredients that are dangerous if accidentally ingested. Specifically, products that contain acids can cause injury to the throat and stomach if swallowed. Common cleaning products that contain acids include oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and drain openers. To keep yourself… Read More

Situation:  Carbon monoxide poisoning associated with hookah use and preparation In recent months, the Georgia Poison Center has been notified of two cases of carbon monoxide poisoning among hookah lounge employees.   Background:  How can carbon monoxide poisoning result from hookah use? Hookah pipes utilize charcoal, which, when ignited, releases carbon monoxide (CO) gas. The… Read More

One of the most recognizable signs of the holidays is the plant Euphorbia pulcherrima, or commonly known as “poinsettia” (pictured on the left). The poinsettia derives its name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States (US) Minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Contrary to… Read More

If you and your family are preparing a turkey for thanksgiving or a holiday meal, it is important to know that turkey and its juice can be contaminated with germs that can make you and your family sick (e.g., Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter).2 Whether you are cooking a whole bird or part of it, such as the… Read More

The autumn and holiday season is often accompanied by an assortment of food and drinks, including a variety of festive alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic drinks may have pretty colors or be mixed with ice cream, making these beverages more appealing to children. Regardless of how “child-like” these beverages may look, kids are at high risk for… Read More

Schools are almost back in session. Parents should remind their young children that markers, crayons, glue, glitter, and other school supplies belong on paper, not in their mouths. Your children should always be supervised when using supplies because they can easily be splashed into the eyes, swallowed or spilled onto skin, and can cause pain…. Read More

Summer time is the best time for bubble machines and wands. This classic summer toy is considered minimally toxic. While the soap solution is unlikely to cause significant problems it can upset the stomach causing vomiting or diarrhea and loose stool. There are usually no symptoms associated with small ingestions, so if you or anyone… Read More

Most ingestions regarding chalk are related to children eating it. The bright colors and playful environment tempts them to eat small amounts of either sidewalk color chalk or white blackboard chalk. Both kinds of chalk are made from ingredients called calcium carbonate and/or calcium sulfate. Keep in mind that this does not apply to billiards… Read More

Tiki torch lighter fluid and lamp oils are all generally chemicals that fall under a class of materials called hydrocarbons. When ingested, if they make it into the stomach, hydrocarbons are generally not dangerous in small quantities. However, large quantities of these particular hydrocarbons can cause sedation and ingestion of hydrocarbons can become very dangerous… Read More

This medication is generally used alone or in combination with other medications to lower blood pressure, treat ADHD, or manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Via certain pathways this medication lowers the strength of the out flowing signal from the brain that controls the resistance of arteries and veins thus lowering blood pressure. When someone, especially… Read More

TCAs are a group of antidepressant medications used for a wide range of conditions. They can be used to treat conditions such as anxiety, panic, bulimia, and most commonly depression or chronic pain. Each medication in this class is slightly different, though they share similarities, and for that reason their side effects are different. Many… Read More