Welcome to the third installment of our “Is it toxic?” plant blog series. Since there aren’t too many winter plants blooming outside in Illinois this time of year, we will be focusing on indoor holiday plants. While plant and berry ingestions are more commonly reported to the IPC in spring, summer and early fall, we … more
It’s fast approaching, so don’t be fooled! No, we’re not talking about the Halloween ghost and ghouls, but rather that haunting flu, with the undesirable symptoms which include: headache, cough, muscle aches, foggy brain, and nausea. While experiencing these symptoms, it may seem like you have the flu. However, consider these other … more
The weather in Illinois is getting cooler (much to my personal delight), and while some of the familiar summer blooms are fading away, mother nature has a whole new act for autumn. Some of the more classic toxic plants are in their prime this time of year. Very Toxic: If someone has swallowed any of … more
Summertime in Illinois is a great time of year with families traveling for weekend getaways, hiking, camping, fishing and a host of other outdoor activities. Depending on where you go and where you stay, there may be bugs and plants that can leave their mark on you. Here are some of the plants and insects in … more
After a long winter and a rainy spring, summertime in Illinois is great time of year. Picnics, BBQ, hiking, festivals and lots of outdoor fun with friends and family make the Prairie State the place to be. With all the activity however, sometimes small children will eat non-food products and chemicals as they explore new … more
Part two of a three-part blog series: beverage container mishaps! Thirsty? Think twice before taking a swig! You never know if someone has used that container for transporting and/or storing cleaning products, chemicals, human/animal waste or who knows what! You won’t believe the calls we get regarding unexpected and potentially toxic things that end up … more
The weather is getting warmer, the butterflies are out in full force and peeks of green are appearing in Illinois after a long, cold winter. One of the things spring brings to the IPC is an increase in exposures to plants. Usually, it’s a child who tasted a colorful flower or sampled a tasty-looking berry; … more
Many times we learn best from a juicy, fascinating human interest story. So…we thought we’d share a few cases with you, for prevention sake! This is part one of a three-part blog series re: things people put in their mouths (that create unexpected/unwanted results). Today, we’ll focus on…toothpaste errors. Oh, the interesting things we humans do when we … more
