As the temperature drops, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases, linked to the use of heating appliances. Such accidents can also be caused by the use of electricity generators. Every year, France sees around 1300 episodes of CO poisoning, involving almost 3000 people. Invisible, odourless and non-irritating, carbon monoxide is undetectable. However, some simple practices can help reduce the risks. Particular attention should be paid to using mobile fuel-burning space heaters properly, and avoiding makeshift heating systems, which are particularly risky.

The return of the warm weather coincides with the return of parasites such as ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, all of which can cause serious diseases in animals These parasites can also carry diseases transmissible to humans. Ectoparasiticides (designed to kill parasites that live on the exterior of a host) are a good way to protect pets. However, it is important to ensure that these veterinary medicinal products are used correctly, particularly in the case of permethrin-based antiparasitic products for dogs, which are toxic for cats.

About twenty cases of menstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS) are recorded each year in France. Menstrual TSS is linked to the conditions of use of internal sanitary protection products. What are the potential consequences of this syndrome? Who may be affected? And above all, how can TSS be avoided? The answers to your questions are found below.

Because of bans on the sale of numerous herbicides to the general public, more and more people have been choosing to make their own products. However, mixing certain ingredients such as bleach and vinegar can cause poisoning that sometimes requires hospitalisation. ANSES and the poison control centres are issuing a warning about this hazardous practice and recommend using only products bearing the words "Authorised for use in gardens".

Liquorice is found in a wide variety of foods and drinks, including sweets, ice cream, syrups and alcoholic beverages. Regularly eating large amounts of food containing liquorice can cause serious and potentially life-threatening poisoning, even in healthy individuals. Following the cases of poisoning recorded by poison control centres from 2012 to 2021, ANSES is recommending that liquorice should only be consumed occasionally and in moderation.

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.