Don’t Eat the Toothpaste!
Have you ever noticed the bold statement on the label of your toothpaste tube: “WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing,...
View ArticleYou’re a mean one…Mr. Yuk!
Mr. Yuk is green, Mr. Yuk is mean! The logo and the saying are a part of poison prevention lore. Created in Pittsburgh in 1971 (yes, 2011 is the 40th anniversary of the iconic logo), it was to...
View ArticlePenny Wise and Pound Foolish
A decision to cut federal poison center funding is penny wise and pound foolish… “Penny-wise and Pound Foolish” refers to unwise thrift, “like the man who lost his horse from his penny wisdom in saving...
View ArticleThe Latest Buzz about Kids, Teens and Caffeinated Energy Drinks
If that second cup of coffee you just had doesn’t keep you awake tonight, here’s something that might. A recent issue of Pediatrics reviewed the effects of caffeine and energy drinks on children,...
View Article“These Darn Safety Caps Are A Pain In The…”
I can bet most of us have probably cursed and moaned while struggling to open a container with a “child-resistant” cap. Have you ever wondered how these enclosures came to be and if they’re really...
View ArticleAnswering the call in a public health emergency
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Mr. Yuk and the limitation of the symbol. Poison centers embrace their traditional service in helping mothers and other care givers care their little loved ones when...
View ArticleTop 6 Reasons Why One National Poison Center is NOT the Answer
Last month, we explained how cutting funding for poison centers is a classic case of ‘penny wise, pound foolish’ and the loss of poison centers would lead to a drastic increase in unnecessary health...
View ArticleMuch To Be Thankful For…
The Illinois Poison Center has much to be thankful for. The IPC is very grateful for the support that readers of our blog, Facebook page members, educators, volunteers, Twitter followers, students,...
View ArticleWe’re Grateful You’re Part of Our Team!
As we approach the end of this year, we would like to thank all of you for your continued support of the IPC. The IPC is proud to play a vital role in Illinois’ health care network. Without you and...
View Article“Your Call Is Important To Us…”
We are currently busy with other callers and will be with you shortly . . . I really hate our new phone hold message . . . and so do those who use our services . . . but we had to make the change to...
View ArticleThe IPC: It’s Ours to Lose
Last week State Representative Camille Lilly and State Senator Andy Manar introduced legislation maintains the state’s current investment in the Illinois Poison Center (IPC). Our goal is to secure 15...
View ArticleThe changing nature of healthcare access and poison control services
Future access to poison information services: The first poison center in the U.S. started in Chicago in 1953 with a lone pharmacist, Louis Gdalman, a stack of carefully crafted index cards and a rotary...
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