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Family Health: General Health Information BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES Keep your family safe by taking these steps to prepare for any type of emergency: • Learn first aid and CPR skills. • Develop a family disaster preparedness plan and practice it. • Place emergency phone numbers by each phone. Key in an emergency contact number as "ICE" - in case of emergency - on cell phone. Make sure your children know how, when and whom to call for help. • Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing personal identification, flashlights, batteries, battery-powered radio, matches, water and nonperishable, ready-to-eat food. Keep these items in a "Family First-Aid" kit: • Sterile adhesive bandages, butterfly closures, gauze pads in assorted sizes, bandages and adhesive tape • Scissors, tweezers, needle and safety pins • Antiseptic, thermometer and tongue depressors • Petroleum jelly • Cleansing agent/soap, first-aid cream and moistened towelettes • Latex gloves • Sunscreen • Pain relievers • Anti-diarrhea medication, antacid and laxative • Ice pack • Any special medications or other personal needs • Phone number for the nationwide Poison Control Center, 1-800-222-1222.   Sources: American College of Emergency Physicians DRUG INTERACTIONS: KNOW HOW TO AVOID THEM Drugs can interact with certain foods and beverages or with health conditions such as diabetes, as well as with other medications. Be sure to discuss potential drug interactions with your health care professional. Here's a short list of red flags for some common over-the-counter ingredients. • Don't drink alcohol if you take antihistamines or drugs that treat sleeplessness. • Don't take sleep medication if you take sedatives or tranquilizers. • If you have diabetes, check with your doctor before taking aspirin or a prescription blood thinner. • Don't use laxatives if you have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. • If you take a prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression, or if you have heart or thyroid disease, don't use a nasal decongestant without guidance from your health care professional.   Sources: Consumer Healthcare Products Association

HOW TO READ A NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICINE LABEL The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the pharmaceutical industry have been working to improve the readability of nonprescription drug labeling. Below is an example of a typical nonprescription label that shows you what to look for (match the numbers and the descriptions). Always read the label before administering any over-the-counter medication. Click below for an enlarged version and description key. Make Time for a Medicine Cabinet Checkup Be sure to look through your medicine supply at least once a year and take these steps to keep your medicines safe and effective: • Always store medicines in a cool, dry place or as stated on the label. • Safely throw away any medications that have old expiration dates, have lost their labels, or look different from their original shape, consistency or coloring. • To make sure no one takes the wrong medicine, keep all medicines in their original containers, with labels intact.   Sources: Consumer Healthcare Products Association

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