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Drug and Poison Information Center

Safety and Prevention
Medication Disposal: What is the Safest Way to Get Rid of Unused and Expired Medicine?
18
Mar 2024
Medication Disposal: What is the Safest Way to Get Rid of Unused and Expired Medicine?
It is important to dispose of unused and expired medicines safely to help avoid accidental exposures and to prevent teen drug abuse. Review four options to do this, as different medications may need different disposal procedures.
By: Alysha Behrman, RN, CSPI | 0
Safety and Prevention
Preventing Accidental Overdose: How to Safely Administer Medications to Kids
23
Feb 2024
Preventing Accidental Overdose: How to Safely Administer Medications to Kids
Giving medications to kids can be challenging. Use these medication safety tips to help prevent accidental drug overdose in kids.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 2
Safety and Prevention
4 Must-Know Facts About Marijuana Edibles
26
Sep 2023
4 Must-Know Facts About Marijuana Edibles
Marijuana edibles are food products that contain marijuana. Learn about the dangers these products can pose related to accidental ingestion.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 1
Safety and Prevention
Parents of Teens: 8 Facts To Know About Nicotine in E-Cigarettes
20
Sep 2023
Parents of Teens: 8 Facts To Know About Nicotine in E-Cigarettes
There are steps parents can take to reduce the likelihood that their teens will turn to vaping and e-cigarettes.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 1
Safety and Prevention
Stay Safe Outside this Fall: Avoid Wild Mushrooms and Berries
29
Aug 2023
Stay Safe Outside this Fall: Avoid Wild Mushrooms and Berries
It's important to know what poisonous wildlife to avoid to keep your family safe. Learn what is most common in the Midwest and some safety tips to steer clear of them.
By: Alysha Behrman, RN, CSPI | 3
Safety and Prevention
Tiny Magnets: What Parents Should Know
11
Aug 2023
Tiny Magnets: What Parents Should Know
If a child swallows multiple magnets, serious injury or death can occur. Here's what you need to know about magnet safety.
By: Alysha Behrman, RN, CSPI | 0
Safety and Prevention
Insect Repellents and Kids: Do’s and Don’ts
04
Jul 2023
Insect Repellents and Kids: Do’s and Don’ts
Insect repellents help protect your family from mosquito bites. You’ll also want to use insect repellents to help ward off serious illnesses. Learn how in this blog post.
By: Julia Conroy | 0
Healthy Living
Life’s A Picnic (But Keep These Things In Mind When There)
02
Jul 2023
Life’s A Picnic (But Keep These Things In Mind When There)
If you enjoy picnics and eating outdoors, read these picnic safety tips to prevent some of the more common picnic-related poisonings.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 1
Safety and Prevention
Concert and Festival Drug and Alcohol Safety Guide
28
Jun 2023
Concert and Festival Drug and Alcohol Safety Guide
Before heading out to your next festival or concert, take note of these important drug and alcohol safety tips, and share them with your family members of all ages.
By: Alysha Behrman, RN, CSPI | 0
Child Development and Behavior
Teens and Drug and Alcohol Use: Tips to Help Prevent It
30
May 2023
Teens and Drug and Alcohol Use: Tips to Help Prevent It
Teens may turn to drug and/or alcohol as a way to cope with stress or to fit in. Read tips on how to help prevent drug and alcohol use.
By: Alysha Behrman, RN, CSPI | 1
Safety and Prevention
Would You Pass This Pesticide Safety Quiz?
21
Mar 2023
Would You Pass This Pesticide Safety Quiz?
Pesticides pose risks when you come in contact with them. Take this quiz to see how you do at preventing pesticide exposures.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 3
Safety and Prevention
10 Toy Safety Tips for the Holidays
20
Dec 2022
10 Toy Safety Tips for the Holidays
It’s important to read toy labeling and safety instructions carefully to make sure the toys are appropriate for your child’s age and skill level. These tips can help you make sure the toys in your house are as safe as possible for your kids.
By: Julia Conroy | 3
Safety and Prevention
Parents, Know the Dangers of Water Beads
13
Dec 2022
Parents, Know the Dangers of Water Beads
Water beads are a popular children's toy, but there are serious risks if a child accidentally swallows one. Learn about the dangers associated with water beads and rules for using them in your home.
By: Julia Conroy | 1
Safety and Prevention
Internet Challenges: Know the Dangers
20
Oct 2022
Internet Challenges: Know the Dangers
Some Internet challenges are harmless and fun, while others can be incredibly dangerous. Learn what's important for both you and your child to know about the dangers of certain social media challenges.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 0
Healthy Living
What to Know About Poisonous Summer Plants In Ohio
06
Jul 2022
What to Know About Poisonous Summer Plants In Ohio
It's important to understand the dangers the outdoors can hold. Help your family stay safe outside this summer with this list of poisonous plants to avoid.
By: Alysha Behrman, RN, CSPI | 0
Safety and Prevention
Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink
05
Jul 2022
Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink
Sizzurp—also called lean or purple drank—contains a dangerous mix of prescription cough syrup and can become addictive or cause death with overdose. Learn the side effects and warn your teens.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 4
Safety and Prevention
How Emojis Are Used as Drug Codes: What Parents Should Know
16
Jun 2022
How Emojis Are Used as Drug Codes: What Parents Should Know
Emojis are increasingly being used to indicate illegal drugs for sale. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recently published a drug emoji reference guide to help parents decipher drug abuse emoji codes.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 0
Safety and Prevention
The Surprising Occurrence of Acetaminophen Overdose
13
Jun 2022
The Surprising Occurrence of Acetaminophen Overdose
When acetaminophen is used properly and the correct dose is given, it can be a safe and helpful pain reliever and fever reducer. But too much acetaminophen can cause harm. Learn about both accidental and intentional acetaminophen overdose and how you can help protect your children from this.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 2
Safety and Prevention
4 Things Parents Need to Know About Medications and the Summer Heat
01
Jun 2022
4 Things Parents Need to Know About Medications and the Summer Heat
The summer heat can change the effectiveness of some medications, and other drugs can magnify the sun's effects. Read further how the sun can impact medicine and what can be done to prevent it.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 0
Safety and Prevention
Quiz: Reasons to Call the Drug & Poison Information Center
21
Mar 2022
Quiz: Reasons to Call the Drug & Poison Information Center
No one intends for an accident to happen! Keep the Drug & Poison Info Center number handy to save time in an emergency. Our poison prevention specialists can help you decide next steps to take when there is an accidental exposure. Review this quiz to see the types of questions our call center typically answers.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 0
Safety and Prevention
COVID-19 Home Test Kit Dangers: What Parents Need to Know
16
Feb 2022
COVID-19 Home Test Kit Dangers: What Parents Need to Know
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the U.S. government expanded efforts to increase at-home COVID testing. In January 2022 it was announced that every home is eligible to order free at-home COVID-19 test kits. At the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center, we have seen an uptick in accidental exposures to a substance in these test
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 1
Safety and Prevention
Avoiding Harmful Exposures: Halloween Safety Tips
15
Oct 2021
Avoiding Harmful Exposures: Halloween Safety Tips
By following these safety tips, parents can help prevent Halloween-related exposures and injuries, and be prepared in case of an emergency.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 0
Safety and Prevention
How to Safely Disinfect for COVID-19
23
Mar 2020
How to Safely Disinfect for COVID-19
Correcting misinformation: drinking bleach will not prevent COVID-19, and could cause a serious injury. Read how to safely disinfect for COVID-19, along with other disease-causing germs.
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 0
Safety and Prevention
Spring Cleaning? Keep These Safety Precautions In Mind
20
Mar 2020
Spring Cleaning? Keep These Safety Precautions In Mind
Poisonings are now the leading cause of death from injuries in the US. Follow these Spring cleaning safety reminders to keep your family safe!
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 0
Safety and Prevention
Parents: Talk to Your Teens About the Dangers of Nicotine Toothpicks
18
Mar 2019
Parents: Talk to Your Teens About the Dangers of Nicotine Toothpicks
There is a new nicotine product parents need to be aware of: nicotine toothpicks. While cigarette use is down among teens, these alternate forms of nicotine consumption are increasing at an alarming rate. Learn about nicotine toothpicks so that you can talk to your teens about them:
By: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT | 0

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