Author Archives: Colin

Medication safety: Put the cap on

Oops! A member of the NNEPC team came home to find this scene while their spouse was giving medicine to one of the kids. That’s better! For safety, put the … Continue reading →

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Have you seen this mushroom?

We’ve had a number of cases in the last few days of young children getting into amanita muscaria or similar mushrooms in the yard. These can make kids sick. If … Continue reading →

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Driving and medications don’t always mix

For many of us, driving is part of our everyday routine, whether it’s getting to work, running errands or visiting friends and family. But certain medications can make it unsafe … Continue reading →

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How to read an over-the-counter medication label

Whether you are treating a headache or have a cold, it is important to read the label every time you take an over-the-counter (nonprescription) medication. The label will tell you what … Continue reading →

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How to avoid some common medication errors

According to a 2015 study, every 8 minutes a child under 6 in the United States gets the wrong medication or the wrong dose of their medication. There are a … Continue reading →

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Take these steps to help prevent poisonings in your home

How safe is your home? We all try to keep our homes safe for kids, pets, visitors, and ourselves, but it’s easy to miss things. Let’s take a look at … Continue reading →

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How much nicotine?

Cigarettes and other nicotine products vary widely in how much nicotine they contain. Below is a rough guide to the total amount found in some common products. It’s also important … Continue reading →

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Liquid nicotine: Dangerous to children

The death in December 2014 of a 1-year-old boy in upstate New York has brought further attention to electronic cigarettes and the liquid nicotine used to refill them. The boy reportedly … Continue reading →

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Clear your outdoor vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is much more common in the winter, with about 60% of our cases occurring between November and March. Snowstorms are a big contributor. Here are some key … Continue reading →

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Child got into a laundry pod? The poison center is your go-to resource

Laundry pods are pretty convenient for adults, but they can be harmful to children. These single-use soap packets are often brightly colored and can attract young children. A child may bite … Continue reading →

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Do you know your school’s medication policy?

Many children need to take medications during the school day. A child may take a medication regularly, such as Ritalin for attention deficit disorder, or have a medication that they … Continue reading →

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Jack o’lantern mushroom is a trick, not a treat

Jack o’lantern mushrooms by Jason Hollinger, Creative Commons In time for Halloween, jack o’lantern mushrooms are starting to show their faces. We had a call related to this mushroom last … Continue reading →

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