From what we gather from professionals in the know, the weather conditions these last couple of months have been conducive to the rapid multiplication and spread of some of those creepy, crawly and flying things that we normally like to avoid this time of year.
Although the Illinois Poison Center handles calls about human-related exposures only, we know many of our readers still need poison prevention tips for their furry, four- legged friends. Did you know there was an animal poison control center located right here in Illinois? Well this week the ASPCA Animal Poison Control offers some great tips to keep pets safe in summer heat.
“Hot town, summer in the city”
I’m sure the Lovin’ Spoonful wasn’t thinking of our pets when they sang this song, but our pets can certainly get into trouble during the hot summer months.
Summer heat:
Make sure your pets have shade and plenty of fresh water if they are put outside. Read more »
When it’s hot out, there’s nothing better than jumping in a refreshing swimming pool! Before jumping in, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the chemicals used to keep pool water clean and safe. Some of these products include:
1. Chlorine
2. Bromine
Just in time for the summer months and kids on summer vacation, there was a recent Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) memo that alerted healthcare providers and public health officials that West Nile Virus (WNV) activity in mosquitoes and birds is increasing throughout the state. The current high summer temperatures and low rainfall in Illinois are providing favorable breeding conditions for the type of mosquitoes (Culex Pipiens and related species) that carry WNV. Read more »
Temperatures are warm, the sun is shining and kids are out of school. Summertime is “outside time”, so read on for tips to keep your family safe while outdoors!
Plants and Mushrooms
Learn the names of all the plants in your garden and landscaping, and label them with both their common and botanical names (tip: bring a cut of the plant/flower to your local nursery or greenhouse if you don’t know what you have). Consult the IPC’s toxic plant list to help plan your garden, especially if you have little ones. Teach children to never eat mushrooms or berries growing outside. Read more »
This time of year, the Illinois Poison Center’s call volume starts to increase for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons has to do with the use of pesticides in the home. Here are the top 5 most frequently asked questions about insecticides:
1. Can I use outdoor-use pesticides inside the house if I have a really bad bug problem?
No! There is a major difference in the safety level of the two products. Most Read more »
