G O O D
T O
K N O W
The “Good to Know” section came about after talking
one morning about general stuff…the challenges of tak-
ing care of parents, know how to treat minor injuries…
what chemicals cannot be mixed with others, etc…At
that moment, it was decided to have a column in some
issues throughout the year! Let us know your thoughts!
Safety at Home
Ever wondered if a product you own or considering
purchasing is safe. You can look up a product safety at
SaferProducts.gov. This website is a Consumer Product
Safety Information
Database of the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC).
The U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting
the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death
from thousands of types of consumer products.
Through SaferProducts.gov, consumers, can
submit reports of harm (Reports) involving consumer
products and find product safety. The database has
key product topics like baby products, children’s toys,
sports equipment, home appliances and much more.
The database also has product recalls and repairs.
Poison Control
There are some quick first aid
measures that make a difference
if accomplished within seconds to
minutes of the poison exposure,
visit https://www.poison.org/
actfast to know what to do
immediately. Call 911 right away
if the individual collapses, has a
seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened.
Download the poison control app for
quick reference at poison.org.
The site also has a free, quarterly e-newsletter that
will help keep you and your family safe from poison.
Visit the Poison Control at https://www.poison.org to
sign up for the newsletter or get more information.
Check out the Poison Control Jingle (https://www.
poison.org/jingles) to help remember the number!
62 LAKE WEDOWEE LIFE
Animal Poison Control
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone
Number: (888) 426-4435
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC)
is your best resource for any animal poison-related
emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you
think your pet may have ingested a potentially
poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A
consultation fee may apply. Their website is www.
aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
experts have put together a handy list of the
top toxic people foods to avoid feeding your
pet. Here are a few of the common ones:
Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine
When ingested by pets, chemicals is these items
can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive
thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart
rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note
that darker chocolate is more dangerous than
milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest
toxicity, while baking chocolate has the highest.
Salt and Salty Snack Foods
Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst
and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets.
Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty
foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors,
elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.
Keep your pet healthy by avoiding salt-heavy snacks
like potato chips, pretzels, and salted popcorn.
Xylitol
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many
products, including gum, candy, baked goods
and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in
most pets, which can lead to liver failure and
hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs
of poisoning include vomiting, lethargy and
loss of coordination progressing to seizures.
Check out their website (www.aspca.
org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) for a
complete list of foods, plants and products.
Many pesticides and herbicides are poisonous
to pets as well. Read the labels on how to use
these products safely for people and pets.