Each year, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) compiles a list of the most hazardous sections, intersections and bicycle-pedestrian intersections across the state’s highways and byways. The list takes into account a number of factors, chief among them the frequency of accidents and the injuries sustained, using data compiled over a five-year period. For the […]
Most Dangerous Intersections in Raleigh Read More »
A tragedy was narrowly prevented on Monday when Usher Raymond V, age 5 and son of the singer Usher, nearly drowned in his backyard pool. According to news accounts, the child was playing in the pool when he dove down to the bottom to retrieve an object. His arm got caught in the powerful suction
Pool Drain Covers Back in the News Read More »
I wanted to post this well before lunch because it is likely to make you lose your appetite. WRAL reporter Monica Laliberte followed a health inspector into nail salons and was grossed out by what she saw. Apparently grossness–and health problems–are nothing new. According to Connie Wilder, chief of enforcement with the North Carolina Board of
Health Risks at Nail Salons Read More »
The 2012-2013 flu season is turning out to be one of the worst and most dangerous in years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, as of this week, most of the country is experiencing high levels of influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI). Nationwide, 47 states report widespread geographic flu activity. Since
Flu Hurts Nursing Homes Residents in More Ways than Illness Read More »
Tattoos are so common that it is easy to forget that there are always potential dangers whenever anything–including ink–is injected into the skin or body. It used to be that the greatest health risk came from improper sterilization of the equipment. But now, another risk has been identified: Contaminated tattoo inks. The Food and Drug
FDA Warns About Health Risks of Tattoos Read More »
On July 6, 2012, Usher’s 11-year-old stepson, Kile Glover, suffered a serious head injury after a jet-ski accident. The child was floating on an inner tube with a teenaged friend when they were struck by a jet ski piloted by 38-year-old Jeffrey Hubbard. While an investigation is continuing, drugs and alcohol were not involved. According
Jet Ski Safety Guidelines Read More »
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued safety information about popular antidepressant medication Celexa (generic name: citalopram hydrobromide). Celexa is in the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which make more of the brain chemical serotonin available to brain cells. In August 2011, the FDA issued a Drug Safety
Celexa Can Cause Heart Abnormalities Read More »
SafeKids USA is always slightly ahead of the curve–in a good way. They want to remind everyone that even though spring has just begun, the weather here in North Carolina has already topped 70 degrees. But with these glorious days comes the opportunity for tragic news: reports of children left unattended in a vehicle, dying
"It Couldn't Happen to Me"–Heat Deaths in Children Read More »
Research recently revealed that repeatedly heading a soccer ball can lead to concussion-like brain injuries. Now, an even more serious type of injury from heading a soccer ball is discussed in a brief article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Paraphrasing from the article (which is filled with medical jargon), a healthy 18-year-old man
Serious Injury from Heading a Soccer Ball Read More »
Safe Kids Worldwide has provided a FANTASTIC brochure about how to keep kids safe when riding bikes or having fun with other wheeled sports, such as skating or riding a scooter. You know we write about this kind of health advice quite often, but this brochure has detailed safety tips demonstrated with photos. One of
Bike Safety for Kids Read More »