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
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
It has been a long winter and most Illinoisans are ready for summer and back yard barbeque season. This summer will be a time for many of us to reconnect with family and friends with large gatherings, food, fun and laughter. However, nothing can ruin a party more than an outbreak of food-borne illness among … more
Sixty years ago, on February 7, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3449 declaring the observation of the very first National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) beginning on March 18th that year. Legislation passed by Congress in 1961 called on the President to designate the third week of March as NPPW. The objective was to … 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
‘Tis the season for family, friends, fun, and . . . food poisoning (ewww). For some unfortunate merrymakers, holiday feasts will start in the dining room and end in the bathroom. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that every year, more than 76 million people fall victim to a foodborne illness. … more
Bleeeaaauuugghh!! Nasty!!! Eeeeeewwww!! How many times have you squealed aloud after discovering your child has recently delved into what they believe to be a culinary delight but you know to be just plain gross? While getting outside to allow your brood some time to release excess energy is the primary goal, it may lead to … more
There is a burgeoning fascination with the strange things children eat. If one were to do an internet search on the three words “my child ate”, it looks like a lot of children are eating Tums, poop (yes, poop, human and pet), pennies, crayons, deodorant and a host of household products.
It’s almost Thanksgiving, so this week’s blog will focus on what’s really important this time of year: Food! We’ve already written about food poisoning, so this time let’s talk about poisoned food. If you’ve read or heard any of the IPC’s poison prevention tips, then you know some of the most important ones are: Do not … more
By Tony Burda DABAT and Sheri VanOsdol Pharm.D. The incidence of bee stings tends to rise during the late summer and fall. Recently, a suburban Chicago greenhouse worker died from a suspected reaction to a bee sting. This unfortunate incident prompted us to summarize some simple first aid tips in the event that you are … more
