With spring around the corner, there’s a lot to look forward to—longer days, warmer temperatures, and more time to explore nature and tend to a garden. Mingling with Mother Nature, though, sometimes brings unpleasant surprises, from fungi and plants that look perfectly innocent until they’re not to toxins that can pack a serious punch. This … more
When I began my rotation at the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) in July 2025, I expected to learn about poisons and antidotes, the tools we have to counteract the effects of a poison. What I didn’t anticipate was how deeply I would be drawn to the public health mission of toxicology, where patient care, community … more
When the weather gets cooler, mice look for warmer places to stay—which often means finding their way into our homes. While a mouse may seem harmless (some might even say cute), most families prefer not to share their living space with these uninvited, furry guests. To get rid of mice and rats, many people turn … more
Warm weather brings blooming flowers, ripe vegetables… and plenty of pesky weeds. Whether you’re growing tomatoes, roses or a backyard jungle, most gardeners agree that weeds are not welcome. To keep the garden looking great, many people reach for herbicides—commonly known as weed killers. But as helpful as these products are, accidents can happen. The … more
Summer is in full swing! School’s out, the sun is shining, and families are spending more time at the park, in the backyard, or on evening walks. But warmer weather also brings out unwanted critters that annoy and bite and sting, oh my! Beyond the nuisance of it all, it’s important to protect yourself and … more
Bugs are among the most unwelcome guests in homes and gardens. Insecticides might be a quick fix, but here’s the twist: While these chemicals are effective against insect pests, they can also pose a risk to humans and pets. The Illinois Poison Center (IPC) handles over 1,000 exposures to insecticides every year. Our experienced staff … more
My wife hates spiders. My daughter hates spiders. As a medical toxicologist, I know that Illinois’ venomous spiders are about as rare as a Chicago Bears Super Bowl win, but I still perform my solemn spider removal duties in order to maintain the household peace. Illinois is literally crawling with spiders. The Illinois Department of … more
Mushrooms have a host of health benefits, from supporting your immune system to protecting brain health. But if you’re thinking of skipping the grocery store, think twice: Wild mushrooms are not always a good bet. In fact, they can be poisonous. If you see a mushroom glowing green in the dark, stop. It’s not a … more
Childproofing seemed like a simple concept before I started as an IPC poison information specialist. Fast-forward three years when it was time to childproof my own home. As it turns out, SO MANY of our calls are about kids who somehow manage to get past the usual childproofing methods. Thankfully, it’s uncommon for young children … more
As the air turns crisp and days become shorter, many of us are drawn to the warmth of furnaces, crackle of a fireplace and familiar smell of home-baked treats. Along with the comforts of fall, there are two things most of us don’t think about but should: carbon monoxide and natural gas. With cooler weather … more
Water beads love water. These superabsorbent toys grow many times their original size when placed in water, to the delight of many children. Before water beads get wet, they look like colorful hard candies or necklace beads. Small children, who can pick up and place small things in their mouths, are at serious risk of … more
Have you heard of the African Gaboon Viper? This highly venomous, non-native snake was the subject of a 2 a.m. call from a hospital some years ago. Luck was not on the side of the person it bit, as this very rare snake isn’t typically found in the U.S. When we got the call, our … more
Sit, stay, heel… but what about, “Don’t touch that! It might be poisonous!”? Long summer days mean more time for everyone to spend outside—including our furry, fluffy and curious canine companions. With summer comes unique situations that might cause your dog harm. We turned to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) for their guidance … more
Who likes gummies, chocolate, candy, cookies or brownies? We do! We do! While most everyone loves sweet treats, curious and hungry toddlers are most prone to get into trouble when finding a treat that’s actually a cannabis product. The number of unintentional exposures to cannabis edibles, especially gummies, has increased since Illinois legalized cannabis products … more
Who’s ready for a road trip! Spring, summer, fall or winter—there’s no bad time to explore new places and visit family and old friends. With all the excitement of hitting the road, it’s easy to let your guard down when it comes to poison prevention. But mishaps can happen when you’re packing and on the … more
Four tiny hands, 85 melatonin gummies and two mouths full of trouble: This is the story of two curious 3-year-old cousins who were up past their bedtime cruising the kitchen for some late-night snacks. When they found a big bottle of gummies, they went for it. Little did they know those seemingly delicious candies were … more
Kids are curious, rambunctious and full of energy. They get into everything! But what if they got their little hands on your cannabis gummies? One parent recently called the Illinois Poison Center because their 2-year-old discovered a colorful bag of what she thought were gummy candies in her parents’ nightstand. Within an hour of devouring … more
Foodie, newbie or old pro? Whether you’re preparing your first holiday feast or your 15th, there’s a lot to consider. Most home cooks want to serve a meal that wows even the most hard-to-please guest. There’s another way to make them happy, though: Don’t make them sick… as nothing can ruin a holiday get-together more … more
Do you have high-powered magnet toys or kits at home? Are you considering buying these magnet toys or kits for kids to create pyramids or other creations? If so, be exceedingly careful if you have children in the home as these products can pose a significant danger if swallowed. Why small high-powered magnets can turn … more
Have you ever been dared or challenged to do something that seemed harmless but turned out to be risky? If so, you’re not alone. Sometimes people feel pressured to accept a challenge that involves eating or drinking large amounts of something – often common products around the house. Participating in a challenge, though, could put … more
A common reaction many people have when a child ingests something potentially harmful is to make them throw up. Our parents did it and it seems like a natural instinct, but inducing vomiting is not always the best course of action. Historically, we would make children vomit with syrup of ipecac (SOI). The idea was … more
Feeling overheated under the hot summer sun is a common experience. But for some people, experiencing a spike in body temperature—known as hyperthermia—can result from taking certain medications. A recent medical journal article discussed a case of a person whose body temperature reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit while on multiple medications. Fortunately, this patient recovered but … more
From the sizzle of barbecues to the colorful explosions in the night sky, the Fourth of July holiday is filled with excitement and joy. As you gear up to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends, it’s important to be mindful of potential poisoning hazards that can occur. IPC is sharing some of the most … more
Life is busy, sometimes hectic, and mistakes happen. We know! That’s why we’re here to help you avoid those uh-oh moments we’ve heard time and time again. Callers to IPC’s helpline have sought our advice for so many different potentially harmful cases. But when we hear about the same scenarios regularly, we have learned that … more
If you answered the question above with, “Call the Illinois Poison Center (IPC),” that is a great answer! According to the National Poison Data System (NPDS), 260,000 cases reported to U.S. regional poison centers every year involve medication errors. With nearly 1 out of every 8 cases handled by poison centers involving a medication error, … more
