By: Robert Remler
South Nassau, One Healthy Way, Oceanside, will host a "Poison Prevention Awareness Center" in its main lobby from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., throughout the week. In addition to providing free information, pharmacists will be available to answer questions and to discuss topics such as proper storage of medications and household chemicals, safety measures and what to do in case of an emergency."We are committed to educating the community on the steps they should be taking to make their homes safe from accidental poisonings," said Ed DeLucie, director of South Nassau's pharmacy. "Keeping chemicals and medicines out of reach and out of sight is a responsibility we all share."Each year, unintentional poisonings from medicines and household chemicals kill about 30 children and prompt more than one million calls to the nation's poison control centers. According to DeLucie, the most important safety tips to prevent poisonings are:1. Use child-resistant packaging because it saves lives.2. Keep medicines and household chemicals locked up, out of reach and out of sight of young children, because some children can open child-resistant packaging.3. Keep the poison control center number next to your telephone and call immediately if a poisoning occurs.4. Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use.5. Keep on hand a bottle of "syrup of ipecac" but use it only if the poison center instructs you to induce vomiting.6. When products are in use, never let young children out of your sight, even if you must take them along when answering the phone or doorbell.7. Keep items in original containers.8. Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.9. Do not put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them.10. Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine. Check the dosage every time.11. Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as "medicine," not "candy."12. Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.For more information, call (516) 632-3919.
Bargains galore
The volunteers at Franklin Hospital Medical Center's Thrift Shop have announced they will soon be holding a "$5-a-bag" sale on winter clothes. Located at 138 Rockaway Avenue in Valley Stream, the special sale will start on Monday, March 11.The shop is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (516) 825-5216.
Surviving freshman year...fathers & sons
Your son will be graduating from high school in June and the college decision has been made. But is he ready for freshman year - and are you? Preparing a young man for college involves more than choosing the right school or personal supplies. It also involves preparing him for the challenges he will experience as he takes this exciting step toward independence. In an effort to help fathers and sons prepare for the various issues they may face, Winthrop-University Hospital's "Men's Health Services" will host a dinner and panel discussion, "Surviving Freshman Year...Fathers & Sons," on Tuesday, March 12, 6 to 9 p.m. It will be held at the Winthrop Community Outreach Center, 101 Mineola Boulevard in Mineola. The fee is $15 per person and includes dinner. Participants will be eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship.Space is limited and reservations are required. For further information, call 1-866-WINTHROP.
Community wellness lecture
Harly Greenberg, MD, medical director of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System's Sleep Disorders Center, and sleep disorders specialist Saul Rothenberg, Ph.D., will host a lecture on "The Impact of Sleep Disorders" and "Solving Sleeplessness" on Tuesday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. The lecture will be held at North Shore University Hospital's Rust Auditorium, located at 300 Community Drive in Manhasset.Refreshments and free blood pressure screening will be offered at 7 p.m. The lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m.For more information or to register, contact the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System's Department of Professional and Public Health Education at (516) 465-2500.
Other events and activities
Sleep disorder and epilepsy is the topic for a lecture being given by Joyce Walsleben, Ph.D., on Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m., at the Epilepsy Foundation headquarters, 506 Stewart Avenue. Call (516) 739-7733 ext. 155 to RSVP...Heart of good eating class will be on Thursday, March 7, 11 a.m. to noon, at the St. Francis Hospital DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, Northern Boulevard, Old Brookville. This class introduces the basic principles of heart-healthy nutrition. $10 per person/$15 for two family members. Registration required. Call (516) 629-2069... Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator Patient & Family Education Series Free lecture on Monday, March 11, 7 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, Northern Boulevard, Old Brookville. Call (516) 629-2038...Uncover the Mystery of the Epi-Pen Anaphylaxis & Asthma Medications is a lecture on Wednesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m. at Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation, North Shore University Hospital, 330 Community Drive, Manhasset. Call Elizabeth Seiekel, RN, at (516)795-6558, to register.Compiled by Fransisco Mejia
