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Medication Take Back Program
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Do you have medicine at home you no longer need or that is expired? Get rid of it! The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its national and community partners hold a National Prescription Take Back Day in late April and October of every year. Visit the National Prescription Take Back Day site for dates, times, event locations and year-round drop-off locations. If this is not available in your area, take the unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers, mix them with an undesirable substance, such as kitty litter or coffee grinds, and put them in waterproof container, such as empty cans or sealable bags, to make sure that they are not found and used by people or animals. Throw these containers in the regular trash as close to the trash pick-up day as possible.
Click here to locate a Medication Take Back location in your area.
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Case #1
A school nurse called because an elementary student bit into a glow stick and got the liquid in their mouth. The nurse was told that the liquid was not harmful in this amount and the child would be fine. The nurse was told to wipe the student's mouth and have them rinse with room temperature water.
Case #2
A school nurse called because an elementary student bit into a silica gel packet on a dare and the packet broke open in the student's mouth. The student spit out most of the silica granules. The nurse was told that silica gel was non-toxic and trying to swallow it, even purposefully would be hard to do. The nurse was told to wipe off the student's mouth and have them rinse with room temperature water.
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Fall Poisonings
As the temperature drops and people begin preparing for the colder weather to come, the Texas Poison Center Network would like remind you of some important tips that can help you stay safe this fall season. By keeping these important safety tips in mind, you can be sure you are doing everything you can to protect yourself and your family from some of these seasonal dangers. This can help put your mind at ease so you can better focus on the beauty of this glorious season.
Change Smoke & Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Batteries
Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you turn back your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.
- Make sure to check the alarms with the new batteries installed.
- If you have a gas heater, make sure that you have fully functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home.
- Fall is usually the time we turn on heaters and check the generators to make sure they are working properly. Make sure your heating system is running smoothly by using a professional that can check for gas and CO leaks before use
Cold and Flu Medicines
- Be careful when using prescription and over-the-counter cold and flu medications.
- Always read the label and follow dosing instructions precisely. Some people wrongly assume that twice as much medicine will give twice the relief of symptoms. In fact, taking more than the recommended amount of medicine can cause dangerous side effects that can have severe medical consequences.
- Many cold and flu products contain a combination of active ingredients, such as decongestants, antihistamines, cough suppressants, and pain relievers. Reading the label can ensure that you are not taking the same ingredient more than once even if you are taking more than one medicine at a time.
- Never tell a child that medicine is candy. Keep all medicines locked up, out of sight and out of reach.
Halloween Hazards
- Test Halloween makeup on a small area of skin first (preferably the arm) to check for sensitivity to any ingredients before applying it to the face.
- Glow sticks contain Dibutyl phthalate, which is the chemical that makes them glow; it is a clear, oily, and colorless liquid. Exposure to this chemical can cause mild irritation of the skin and eyes. If the glow stick substance gets on the skin, eyes, or in the mouth, it should be washed off immediately.
- Keep alcohol away from children. Make sure opened containers, unfinished beverages and all other items containing alcohol are out of reach.
- Medications are often mistaken for candy. Often parents hide their children's candy to avoid overeating. Be mindful as your little one may be looking for candy.
- Many plants develop berries in the fall as a means of reproduction.
- Children are especially attracted to the bright colors, and may not understand the difference between wild berries and store-bought or garden-grown fruits. Remind children that even if they see birds and other wildlife eating berries, that doesn't mean they are safe for people to eat.
- Learn the name of every plant growing in and around your home so that you are prepared to provide the name of the plant involved if it is accidentally ingested.
Call for help
Remember, if you suspect that you or someone you know has been poisoned, immediately call the toll-free Poison Help line
which connects you to your local poison center.
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