Important information on syrup of ipecac
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Iana Simeonov
CPCS
(415)
502-8603
(415)
341-5035 (Cell)
or
Lisa
McKendall
McKendall
Communications
(310)
641-1556
(310)
991-6737
KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON The California Poison Control System Offers Holiday Safety Tips
San
Francisco, CA (November 29, 2006) -- The
holiday Poinsettia has long been considered poisonous, but in fact, while
ingestion of many leaves of this plant may cause a stomachache, this holiday
plant is not fatal. The California
Poison Control System offers some advice about real holiday dangers to look out
for, but in case of any potential poisoning or for more information contact the
California Poison Control System at 1 (800) 222-1222.
BERRIES – Eating holly
or mistletoe berries can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and drowsiness. If eaten in sufficient amounts, more severe
symptoms can occur.
CHRISTMAS TREES – If eaten, the needles from Christmas trees can cause choking if a needle gets stuck in the throat like a fishbone. Be aware that needles falling from a dry tree can be a problem to small children and pets. BE MINDFUL OF PETS –
Dogs are especially prone to poisonings because they eat almost anything. Keep chocolate out of the reach of dogs; it
can cause vomiting diarrhea, tremors or even a coma.
GIFT WRAP – Most
wrapping paper and ribbons are non-toxic, but foil and colored gift-wrap may
contain lead. Do not let babies chew on
gift-wrap.
SNOW SPRAYS – Many
people like the look of snow on their indoor Christmas tree and use snow spray
to achieve this look. Many snow sprays
contain acetone or methylene chloride and these solvents can be harmful when
inhaled. Briefly inhaling the spray in a
small, poorly ventilated room may result in nausea, lightheadedness and
headache. Longer or more concentrated
exposures can be more serious. Once the
snow spray is dried, it is not dangerous.
DISC BATTERIES – Many
holiday gifts require flat, coin-shaped disc batteries. They may, if swallowed, stick in the
esophagus causing obstruction or serious burns. Also, children may insert these small objects into their ears or nose.
MEDICINES – When
grandma and grandpa come to visit for the holidays, make sure they keep their
medicines out of the reach of children. Often visitors leave their medication on the nightstand next to their
guest bed, easily accessible to children. Also, purses or bags of visitors may contain medication or other
potentially dangerous items and need to be placed out of reach as well.
FOOD PREPARATION –
Washing your hands, counters and cutting boards as well as thoroughly washing
fruits and vegetables is the most important thing you can do to prevent food
poisoning. Prepare raw meat, fish or
poultry on very clean surfaces, cook food thoroughly and refrigerate leftovers
immediately. Be careful with food on
buffet tables making sure that nothing is left out for more than 2 hours.
CARBON MONOXIDE –
Colder weather means possible exposure to carbon monoxide from furnaces and
fireplaces as families gather indoors. Always fully open chimney flues, and never use charcoal or kerosene
heaters indoors. A clue to carbon
monoxide poisoning is the occurrence of headaches in several people
simultaneously.
In case of an accidental poisoning,
consumers should immediately call the CPCS at 1-800-222-1222 for advice. Pharmacists, Nurses, Physician-Toxicologists
and Poison Information Providers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
to help. In most cases a poison
exposure can be safely managed at home with the help of a poison center expert,
avoiding a call to 911 or a visit to a crowded hospital emergency room. Many parents think about contacting the
poison control services only in case of an emergency, but experts are available
to answer questions anytime.
To help consumers better understand poison
control services, the CPCS offers many materials free of charge. Brochures that describe poison control services , and include a removable magnet with the toll-free
telephone number are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese and
Chinese. Consumers can ask for the brochure by going to
the Web site at www.calpoison.org, or
calling 1-800-582-3387.
The CPCS
has four divisions located at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, San
Francisco General Hospital in San Francisco, Children’s Hospital Central
California in Fresno/Madera and the UC San Diego Medical Center in San
Diego. The CPCS is part of the
University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy and responsible to
the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.
1-800-222-1222. . Anytime, Anyplace in California Home | Public | HCP | About | Orders
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