skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Poison Prevention Week: Protecting Young and Old

play audio
Play

Monday, March 16, 2015   

RALEIGH, N.C. - Infant or senior, it doesn't matter the age, poisoning is the leading cause of injury death. It's National Poison Prevention Week and experts are reminding people of ways to respond to and prevent poisonings.

Alysha Behrman, nurse specialist with the Drug and Poison Information Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, says 90 percent of all poisonings occur in the home and it's crucial to act quickly.

"If there's no symptoms initially, call the poison control center where we can ask questions, find out what happened, and then give medical advice over the phone," says Behrman. "The majority of our exposure calls are actually managed at home, and do not require emergency medical care."

But if the person is unconscious or having a seizure, Behrman says seek medical help immediately. In North Carolina, call the Poison Help Line for assistance, at 1-800-222-1222.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health says in a single year, more than 900 people died from unintentional poisoning in the state - a death rate higher than the national average.

Behrman says most poisonings involve children under age five and include exposure to cosmetics, household cleaners and pain medications. She adds there are signs that indicate a child was exposed to something dangerous.

"Sometimes, you'll notice they're drooling excessively. They might have redness around their mouth, they might be crying, they're acting more tired than normal," she says. "If they're acting more excitable or have more energy than normal. Any of those could be indications."

More than two million poisonings are reported annually to the 56 poison control centers around the U.S. Behrman says adults account for most poison-related deaths, mainly due to the misuse or overuse of drugs or medications.

"Take and give medications safely, always read the label and always follow directions," says Behrman. "Only give medications with the lights on and with glasses on, if needed, to make sure that you can see the label and dose appropriately."

She stresses that medications, cleaning products and outdoor chemicals should be kept out of the reach of little ones - and says never mix chemical products, because it could create a poisonous gas.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021