HRSA eNews

Get Ready for National Poison Prevention Week, March 20-26, 2011

National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) is designated to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them.

NPPW is also a great time to remember the valuable services provided by the nation’s 57 poison centers. No matter where you are in the U.S., calling the toll-free Poison Help number (1-800-222-1222) will connect you to your local poison center. Poison experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your questions about medicines, food, plants, insect bites, chemicals, and any kind of poisoning. Calls are always free and confidential and services are provided in 161 languages.

Post the Poison Help number near the phones in your home and program the number in your cell phone so that you have it ready when you need it.

Almost anything can be poisonous if used the wrong way, in the wrong amount, or by the wrong person. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately 93 percent of poisonings happen at home, and 51 percent of poisonings involve children under the age of 6. However, poisoning affects people of all ages. More than 70% of all poisoning deaths occur in adults ages 20 to 59. In fact, older adults account for 16% of the deaths. Become familiar with basic information on poison prevention in the home, such as keeping household products and chemicals in the original containers they came in and carefully reading the labels and dosages on all products.

Visit the HRSA Poison Help site to find more poison prevention tips. The site also offers other resources, such as the Poison Help interactive widget—an online tool that you can add to your Web site, personal blog, Facebook, or Twitter page. Also visit the National Poison Prevention Week Planner to find everything you need to help you plan to raise awareness about poison prevention.