Poisoning still remains a very serious public health problem in the U.S. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, poisoning is now the leading cause of death from injuries in the U.S.

 

As we kick off National Poison Prevention Week (March 16-22), we wanted to share some interesting calls we've received. This just goes to show that you should never be embarrassed to call the specialists at the Texas Poison Center Network-we have heard it ALL:

  • A mother called, concerned that her child had eaten a black widow spider.  She had seen the spider crawling up the wall and killed it with a newspaper. She wanted to make sure it was really dead, so she went into the bedroom to get a shoe to smash it. As she turned the corner back into the living room, the child picked up the spider off the floor and ate it.
  • A teenager trying to re-enact a Klondike bar commercial jumped on the ironing board. The board could not support her weight and she fell face-first, open-mouthed into the kitty litter box.
  • While siphoning radiator antifreeze, the caller got a mouthful; she spit most out but swallowed some.
  • An older woman called after she reached for her water bottle in the middle of the night and accidentally took a swig of household hydrogen peroxide that was also on the nightstand.
  • A caller was in such a rush getting ready for work, he accidentally brushed his teeth with Icy Hot instead of toothpaste. 
  • Last, but certainly not least, is the ingestion of poop.  It may come as a surprise, but kids are always eating poop; their own poop, the cat's poop, the dog's poop, bird poop.

 

As you can see, the specialists at Texas Poison Center Network can help if anything has been ingested, no matter how weird or gross.  Save 1-800-222-1222 in your cell phone, you never know when you might need us!

 

  
  
  
  
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It's not too late to order your free poison prevention materials, such as stickers, magnets, videos and activity books. Click here to order today!

 

Should you or anyone you know experience a  poisoning, call the Poison Center right away. Our bilingual Pharmacists/Doctors/Nurses are ready to serve you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in both English and Spanish at

1-800-222-1222. 

    
 

You are always welcome to use any part or all of this newsletter to help prevent poisonings and raise awareness of poison center services and 1-800-222-1222. Learn more at www.PoisonControl.org, including how to contact your local poison center educator for health fairs, trainings and presentations.