There is a definite chill coming to Texas. Furnaces are beginning to kick on more frequently now. Every year, like clockwork, this is the time that calls to poison centers regarding carbon monoxide start to rise. 

 

Why does carbon monoxide poisoning go up in the fall/winter months compared to summer? Most commonly, it is due to inefficient, malfunctioning furnaces. When natural gas is burned, an efficient heater will have a by-product of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. A faulty heater that has incomplete burning of natural gas will create carbon monoxide (CO) and water.

 

So how can I prevent injury to myself and family this winter?

There are two frequently recommended ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning this winter:

  • Have the furnaces and other heaters (e.g. space, water) checked on a yearly basis. This is especially true in older homes. Sometimes heaters that were working perfectly the last time they were used in April do not function correctly in November.  Annual maintenance checks can save lives.
  • Make sure there are functioning carbon monoxide detectors in the home.  Even if the furnace was just checked, this will be a lifesaver. Perform regular checks on the detectors to ensure they are working properly and the batteries are up to date.  A common recommendation from fire departments is to change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at daylight savings time.  Another little known fact is that carbon monoxide detectors have a life of 8 to 10 years.
If you have any questions or are concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning, call the experts at 1-800-222-1222.
Talk to your teen about synthetics
  

Synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as "synthetic marijuana," "K2," or "Spice," are often sold in legal retail outlets as "herbal incense" or "potpourri," and synthetic cathinones are often sold as "bath salts" or "jewelry cleaner." They are labeled "not for human consumption" to mask their intended purpose and avoid FDA regulatory oversight of the manufacturing process.

 

Use of synthetic cannabinoids is alarmingly high, especially among young people.  

 

The contents and effects of synthetic drugs are unpredictable due to the constantly changing variety of chemicals used. The effects of synthetic cannabinoids include severe agitation and anxiety, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia (fast, racing heartbeat), elevated blood pressure, tremors and seizures, hallucinations, dilated pupils, suicidal thoughts and other harmful thoughts/actions.

 

When talking to your teen, avoid lectures or long discussions about the dangers of drugs. Although you want to impart that knowledge to your teen, it is better to start the conversation by asking questions and finding out what your teen already knows from media, friends or school lessons.

 

Learn about the topic from your teen's point of view. Keep the conversation as light as possible before you start talking about dangers from the drugs. By getting your teen to answer questions and think about the topic, you are able to reduce the risk that your teen will stop listening or will require another lecture in the future.

  

When you are talking to a teen, scare tactics are an ineffective way to handle the topic of drug abuse. Instead, focus on consequences that your teen cares about the most. For example, tell your teen that he or she will lose interest in playing a favorite sport.

  

If you used or abused drugs in the past, then it might be necessary to talk about your personal experiences with substance abuse and recovery. Although it is hard to admit your faults to your children, it can be a powerful way of deterring your teen from making the same mistakes or taking the same missteps in life. Focus on the downsides of your experiences and discuss the journey to a drug-free lifestyle. If you did not take drugs personally, then you can use other examples in the family, among your childhood friends or similar close relations.

 

Talking about synthetic drugs is challenging, but it is also necessary. It's important to remove the temptation from your teen by explaining all of the consequences, focusing on experiences and showing that addiction can happen to anyone. It just takes a little time and the right approach to get the attention of a teenager.

 

For more information about synthetic drugs, call 1-800-222-1222. 

 

 

 
 
 
  
  
  
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Cold and Flu season has officially arrived and the Texas Poison Center Network is already receiving calls from folks who have accidently mixed the wrong medications. Beware acetaminophen (often listed as APAP) is the active ingredient in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription medicines.  It's essential to know which of the medications you're taking contain acetaminophen. Bottom line: you should never take more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen at the same time because this could lead to an unintentional overdose. Taking more than the recommended dose (overdose) of acetaminophen may cause liver damage. For questions, call 1-800-222-1222 immediately.   

Here are a few tips to keep that most unwelcome Thanksgiving guest - food poisoning - from messing up your perfect holiday meal.

  • Food poisoning symptoms can include fever, headache, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and vomiting.
  • Salmonella can only be destroyed by cooking food to temperatures above 140 degrees.
  • It's okay to thaw turkey in its original plastic for one to two days. After that, move the turkey to plastic wrap or foil.
  • Thaw turkey or poultry inside the fridge, rather than elsewhere in your kitchen.
  • Don't stuff the turkey in advance and then refrigerate it. The core of the turkey is a perfect place for bacteria to grow.

If you have questions about food safety, call 1-800-222-1222. Your call is free, confidential and we're open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don't guess-be sure!

 
  
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