Posted: July 2nd, 2013 | Tags: fireworks, food poisoning, Fourth of July, holidays, Illinois Poison Center, IPC, ipc blog, summer safety | No Comments »
Temperatures and grills are hot, bugs are swarming and the sky is a glow with fireworks…it’s the Fourth of July! While the Fourth is usually a time for joyous celebrations, like every holiday, it brings forth its own set of poisoning hazards to adults, children and pets. Before you and yours celebrate America’s birthday, review these tips on staying safe this holiday! Read more »
Posted: December 25th, 2012 | Tags: holidays, Illinois Poison Center, IPC, ipc blog | No Comments »
Welcome to the Illinois Poison Center Holiday Survival Guide! Whether it’s a spoiled treat or too many party poisons, joyous holiday celebrations have the potential to become hazardous situations. Read more »
Posted: December 11th, 2012 | Tags: Christmas, high powered magnets, holidays, Illinois Poison Center, IPC, ipc blog, magnets | 1 Comment »
Is a set of high-powered magnet toys on your shopping list this holiday season? If so, be careful about leaving them under the Christmas tree or anywhere a child can reach them. The attraction to magnets is understandable since the force field produced by these objects appears to be a magical trick. But these high-powered magnets can be very dangerous to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract if swallowed.
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Posted: December 4th, 2012 | Tags: Christmas, holiday plants, holidays, Illinois Poison Center, IPC, ipc blog, pointsettia | No Comments »
Click here to listen to Burl Ives’ “Holly Jolly Christmas”
As the autumn leaves dwindle to the coming winter frost, our cities and homes become alive with holiday décor such as wreaths, Christmas trees, mistletoe, poinsettia, and American holly. Last year, we addressed the toxicity hazards of the poinsettia plant. This year our focus will be on the American Holly.
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Posted: December 6th, 2011 | Tags: 1800-222-1222, decorations, fact, google poisonous plants, holidays, Illinois Poison Center, ipc blog, myth, Percy the Puny Poinsettia, plants, poinsettia, poisonous, safe | 1 Comment »
Nothing says the holidays quite like bright lights, trees and other decorations; and no holiday decor would seem complete without those pretty poinsettias. Although poinsettias are a fixture around many homes this time of year, calls to the IPC increase from concerned parents, Read more »
Posted: November 29th, 2011 | Tags: 1800-222-1222, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, button batteries, Christmas, high powered magnets, holidays, Illinois Poison Center, ipc blog, ipc blog google, shopping, stocking stuffers, swallow | No Comments »
With all the fun and excitement of gift shopping and exchanging this holiday season, it is easy to buy the coolest toys and games, but some of them may be dangerous in small hands. We want to point out two items that if swallowed by a child (or anyone for that matter) could lead to injury to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and may even pose a life threatening risk. If swallowed, high powered magnets and button batteries may damage the lining of the stomach and intestine to such an extent that an emergency surgery may be necessary. Read more »
