An increase in venomous snake bites, carbon monoxide poisoning and medication errors after storms like Hurricane Erin can lead to illness or even death, a North Carolina Poison Control expert warns.<\/p>\n
Dr. Michael Beuhler, medical director with N.C. Poison Control, explains storm survivors need to be vigilant after hurricanes, ice storms and other natural disasters.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tMedication errors during a storm<\/p>\n
One of the most surprising dangers during a storm is medication mix-ups, which can easily happen when bags are hurriedly packed during an evacuation order.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t>>\u00a0Checklist: Hurricane survival kit<\/a><\/p>\n “When Severe weather can throw off schedules. In addition to labeling all medications, Beuhler recommends setting an alarm to remember when it’s time to take a dose.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tSnake bites after hurricanes<\/p>\n Another hidden danger after a storm? Snake bites.<\/p>\n “Venomous snakes are everywhere in North Carolina,”\u00a0Beuhler said. “In general, as long as According to Beuhler, the venomous snake that causes the most poisonings in North Carolina is the copperhead.<\/p>\n “The copperhead is the king in North Carolina,” he said. “We\u2019re pushing 600 to 700 bites a year from copperheads.”<\/p>\n Rattlesnakes are also of concern during hurricanes, especially the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, which lives at the coast.\u00a0<\/p>\n “They are one I\u2019d be a little more worried about during a hurricane,” Beuhler said. “Rattlesnakes in general are worse than copperheads. For every rattlesnake [bite], you\u2019re going to need to go to the emergency department for evaluation.”<\/p>\n
\nthey go to evacuate or they’re disrupted in their household, their medications
\naren\u2019t put in labeled containers — or they\u2019re put in other bags or someone else
\nis giving them,” Beuhler said. “Make sure the medications are labeled and clear for everybody.”<\/p>\n
\nwe leave them alone, they leave us alone. The problem is during a hurricane
\neverything is disrupted. They are where they aren\u2019t normally, and we are where
\nwe aren\u2019t normally, and unfortunately we do meet up.”<\/p>\n