-
Screen Time, Limited
What’s the big deal about screen time? In addition to screens keeping you from the people you love, too much screen time can lead to eye strain, sleep problems, obesity, and wasted time. Read >> -
Warning: Poison!
While your home is a safe place for family and friends, there are potential hazards in your safe haven. Do you know what dangers are lurking under your kitchen sink, in your bathroom cabinets, and in your garage? Read >> -
Sports during a Pandemic
Now that schools have started to reopen slowly, athletic directors at all levels have big decisions to make. Can the sport continue while keeping the players, coaches, and spectators safe from the virus? What safety measures need to be implemented to avoid spreading COVID-19? Is it worth the risk? Read >> -
Talk Therapy
Children and adults who suffer from depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, addictions, or post traumatic stress disorder can all find relief and healing through talk therapy with a professional counselor. Depending on your disorder, a therapist may incorporate one or more of the following approaches to psychotherapy. Read >>
- Adults with Covid-19 about 'twice as likely' to say they have dined at a restaurant, CDC study suggests
- High Blood Pressure on the Rise: How to Manage Yours
- A large study found Black Americans are more likely to die from colorectal cancer because they are less likely to get life-saving treatments
- Tylenol side effect: Acetaminophen may cause people to take greater risks
Warning: Poison!
What poisonous products are hiding in your home?
While your home is a safe place for family and friends, there are potential hazards in your safe haven. Do you know what dangers are lurking under your kitchen sink, in your bathroom cabinets, and in your garage?
Anyone with children, grandchildren, or pets must be vigilant to keep dangerous products in safe locations. Because every day, children die from ingesting cleaning supplies or cosmetics. To prevent tragedy, keep all potentially hazardous products on high shelves or locked up.
Products are labeled with their level of risk. A label with the word “caution” indicates a low risk of potential harm. A “warning” label indicates exposure could lead to serious illness or injury. If you see the word “danger,” beware! Exposure to these products could harm the skin; cause blindness; or if swallowed, damage the mouth, throat, or stomach, or even lead to death.
What products should you keep away from children and pets?
Medications
Medication is meant to be taken by a specific person for a specific condition. All medications, whether prescription or non-prescription, may be dangerous if taken or used by someone in a manner not as prescribed. Overdosing can lead to upset stomach, liver damage, drowsiness, convulsions, hallucinations, agitation, chest pain, headache, breathing trouble, or loss of consciousness.
Cleaning Products
Household cleaning products contain strong chemicals used to kill bacteria, dissolve grime, clear drains, remove rust, or clean tough stains. While having them makes it possible to keep your home squeaky clean, they can cause serious damage to unsuspecting children. In fact, just touching some of these products can cause chemical burns. And swallowing cleaning products can cause horrific burns to the mouth, throat, or stomach.
Alcohol
Many people don’t realize the danger alcohol poses for young children. A depressant drug, alcohol slows the central nervous system. When a child consumes alcohol, the end result can be low blood sugar. Seizures, coma, and death are possible. It’s not just wine, beer, or liquor that can poison a child. Alcohol is also found in mouthwash, facial cleansers, hand sanitizer, perfume, and food extracts. Be aware of all products containing alcohol in your home and store them appropriately.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics and personal care products in your bathroom cabinets may seem harmless, but keep in mind that kids like to put everything in their mouth. What happens when they ingest nail polish, lipstick, eye shadow, shampoo, or toothpaste? While most products are considered minimally toxic, causing skin or eye irritation or upset stomach, other products like nail glue remover, polish remover, or nail primer may cause burns, acetone poisoning, or cyanide poisoning.
Pesticides
Once finished securing potential dangers inside your home, head to the garage or storage shed. There, you may have pesticides for killing bugs, rodents, or weeds. Killing unwanted ants, fleas, and roaches is great, but these chemicals can be dangerous to touch, breath, or ingest, especially for a young child whose body is still developing. Exposure to pesticides is associated with a higher risk of learning disabilities, birth defects, and cancers.
Hydrocarbons
Another leading cause of poisoning in children is hydrocarbons. These include household products such as kerosene, motor oil, gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint thinner. If swallowed, they may cause a child to choke, which may cause the liquid to enter the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Certain hydrocarbons can also cause skin irritation, chemical burns, heart arrhythmia, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, aggression, and seizures.
Antifreeze and Windshield Washer Liquid
Two extremely dangerous chemicals for humans and pets are antifreeze and windshield washer solution. If windshield washer solution gets in the eyes it can cause blindness and ingestion can lead to death. Ingestion of antifreeze can lead to kidney failure or death.
