Tag: Idaho Poison Center

The Poison Center is available to answer your questions 24/7

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

anton-darius-sollers-301423 (1)Thanks to all the summertime picnics, swimming, and cookouts, summer is also a time for more poisonings. As the seasons and weather change, so do the types of calls to the Nebraska Regional Poison Center, which handles calls from Idaho.

The Poison Center is a free community service . Call 1-800-222-1222 and talk immediately to a registered nurse or pharmacist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text “poison” to 797979 to save the contact information for the poison center in your smart phone.

Here are a few things you may need to call the Poison Center for assistance with:

Glow Sticks:  The Poison Center receives many calls about glow sticks each year.  The liquid can be irritating when it comes into contact with your mouth, skin, and eyes. Continue reading “The Poison Center is available to answer your questions 24/7” →

Idaho Poison Center: Lock medications up, and other tips for safe holidays

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays it is easy to overlook items in your home that could cause a poisoning. The number of poisoning incidents involving children typically increases during the holiday season. The Idaho Poison Center offers a few tips on how to keep your holidays safe this year: Continue reading “Idaho Poison Center: Lock medications up, and other tips for safe holidays” →

Be prepared for a poison emergency! Add this number to your phone: 1-800-222-1222

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

2018_NPPW_Banner_JPGMost poisoning emergencies are unexpected and happen quickly in our homes. A majority of non-fatal poisonings involve children younger than six. And for adults, poisoning is the No. 1 cause of injury death in the United States. This week is National Poison Prevention Week, so it’s a good time to think about what you would do in a poisoning emergency. Continue reading “Be prepared for a poison emergency! Add this number to your phone: 1-800-222-1222” →

Children act fast, but so do poisons

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Most poisoning emergencies are unexpected and happen quickly in our homes. A majority of non-fatal poisonings involve children younger than six. And for adults, poisoning is the No. 1 cause of injury death in the United States. This week is National Poison Prevention Week, so it’s a good time to think about what you would do in a poisoning emergency.

Are young children most at risk for a poisoning accident?

In 2016, poisoning was the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among all Idahoans, with children younger than 6 being most at risk. It is extremely important for parents of small children to keep medications, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, cosmetics and other potentially poisonous items out of their reach. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center, which receives all of Idaho’s poison emergency calls, had more than 13,000 calls in 2016 from Idaho residents. And the majority of those calls were from parents of children ages 6 and younger.  Continue reading “Children act fast, but so do poisons” →

Protect yourself from mumps: Make sure your vaccinations are up to date

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

An outbreak of mumps in Washington State is a good reminder that although mumps is not very common in the United States, outbreaks and individual cases are happening all over our nation. As of Feb. 25, more than 1,000 people have been infected this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That includes more than 360 cases in our neighboring state of Washington, and at least one case in northern Idaho. The Washington outbreak caused over 150 children to be excluded from school. Most of those children were unvaccinated and needed to be excluded for their own protection. Since immunization is your best protection against this contagious disease, it would be a good time to check vaccine records for yourself and your children to be sure you are up to date.

How would someone be exposed to it?

Mumps is caused by a virus. It spreads through saliva or mucus, so an infected person spreads it by:

  • Coughing, sneezing, or even just talking.
  • Sharing items you would put in your mouth like eating utensils and cups.
  • Touching things with unwashed hands that others might touch.

Continue reading “Protect yourself from mumps: Make sure your vaccinations are up to date” →

Your child broke a glow stick? Call the Idaho Poison Center

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Most parents recognize the fact that fireworks and small children just don’t mix.  Glow sticks and glow jewelry are a safer alternative to bottle rockets and sparklers that can cause serious burns.  But these brightly colored glow products are soft and pliable and easily broken open, especially by children.

A child with a glowing mouth can cause some anxious moments for parents, but it’s typically not worth a trip to the emergency room. Even so, parents should call the Idaho Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 to be sure. Continue reading “Your child broke a glow stick? Call the Idaho Poison Center” →

Children act fast, and so do poisons. Would you know what to do in an emergency?

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Most poisoning emergencies are unexpected and happen quickly in our homes. The majority of non-fatal poisonings involve children younger than 6. And for adults, poisoning is the No. 1 cause of injury death in the United States. This week is National Poison Prevention Week, so it’s a good time to think about what you would do in a poisoning emergency.

Are young children most at-risk for a poisoning accident?

In 2014, poisoning was the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among all Idahoans, with children younger than 6 being most at-risk. It is extremely important for parents of small children to keep medications, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, cosmetics and other potentially poisonous items out of their reach. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center, which receives all of Idaho’s calls, had more than 15,000 calls in 2014 from Idaho residents. The majority of those were from parents of children ages 6 and younger. Continue reading “Children act fast, and so do poisons. Would you know what to do in an emergency?” →