Paracetamol and aspirin can be fatal for our pets. Other medication intended for humans can cause poisoning in animals. Below we review the most common situations and issue some recommendations you should keep in mind before giving these medicines to an animal.

Once a home is infested with bed bugs, it is difficult to get rid of them. Sometimes, faced with the tenacity of these parasites, people turn to insecticides. However, their use is not without risk: more than 1000 cases of poisoning due to these chemicals, some serious, were recorded between 2007 and 2021. To eradicate bed bugs, you should therefore initially favour non-chemical means.

Whether in a cookery class or at home, the practice of "cake design", or the art of creating and decorating cakes with sugar paste, dust, colourings, etc., is growing more popular in France. To add a metallic visual touch to cakes, artists use various types of decorative products including gold, silver or copper decorative "lustre" dust. However, its use is not without risk.

With the arrival of cooler temperatures, ANSES is drawing attention to the risks associated with the use of certain appliances (barbecues, braziers, power generators) that are not intended to heat indoor spaces. The use of these appliances can lead to serious or even fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

During the recent fuel shortage, the number of cases of poisoning caused by siphoning increased five-fold. To avoid accidents, ANSES and the French poison control centres strongly discourage this practice.

The arrival of autumn marks the beginning of the wild mushroom picking season. Although wild mushrooms are popular delicacies, some species are nevertheless toxic or even fatal to humans. In 2021, four people died after mistaking a toxic species for an edible species. Whether you are a connoisseur or an occasional picker, you should remain vigilant and comply with good practices to ensure safe consumption.

Every year, many accidents are reported following the incorrect storage and use of veterinary medicines. In France, over 400 people were victims of this type of accident in 2020. While most reported cases are minor, more serious cases of poisoning can occur, particularly in young children.

When out foraging, people sometimes confuse toxic wild plants with edible ones. Mistaking autumn crocus for wild garlic can cause serious or even fatal poisoning. Follow our advice to ensure safe picking.

In dogs and cats, repeated contact with their owner’s topical hormone replacement therapy can cause hormonal problems. Following reports of adverse effects in several European countries, ANSES-ANMV (French Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products) is inviting owners to apply these medications with the necessary precautions to avoid exposing their pets.

The arrival of autumn often sees cases of horse chestnuts being mistaken for sweet chestnuts. Here we give you some tips on how to avoid this.