Last Updated: March 20, 2025
Poisoning can happen to people of any age at the most unexpected time. A curious child could accidentally eat a poisonous plant. A teen might experiment with substances. Even an older adult might make a medication error. Accidental poisonings can occur in an instant.
During National Poison Prevention Week, March 16–22, it’s important to raise awareness of the risks posed by poisonous substances and the precautions that can be taken to keep families and friends safe. Remember to use the Poison Help hotline 1-800-222-1222 and website PoisonHelp.org. If it’s an emergency and an individual has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or can’t be awakened, call 911 immediately.
Poisoning is the leading cause of injury death in the U.S. On average, 90% of poisonings happen in homes in America each year. More than 70% of people who call the Poison Help hotline get the help they need right where they are. Calling the Poison Help hotline could save a trip to a healthcare professional or hospital. In 2023, the 55 U.S. poison control centers provided telephone guidance for nearly 2.1 million human poison exposures. That’s about:
- 6.2 poison exposures for every 1,000 people
- 32.1 poison exposures in children younger than six years for every 1,000 children
- One poison exposure reported to U.S. poison control centers every 15 seconds
In 2022, in Virginia, 91% of cases occurred in a residence. Three quarter of total cases were a result of an unintentional exposure to a substance. More than 38% of cases were for children five years old or younger.
Virginia has two poison control centers that provide fast, free and confidential help for poison-related questions. Virginia’s poison control centers are located at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. Calling a poison control center is faster and more accurate than an internet search.
Remember these important poison prevention safety tips for the home, safe storage habits, medicine safety and more.
Home Safety Tips
- Keep cleaning products and cosmetics up and away.
- Read product labels before each use.
- Supervise young children when using hand sanitizer.
- Don’t mix cleaning products together.
Practice Safe Storage Habits
The following items should be stored up, away, and out of sight of children, and in their original containers. Or keep these substances in cabinets secured with child-resistant locks. Keep in mind that no lock or container is 100 percent childproof.
- All medicines and pharmaceuticals, including over the counter and prescription medications, vitamins, and supplements.
- Tobacco and e-cigarette products, especially liquid nicotine.
- Alcohol.
- Laundry and cleaning supplies.
- Pesticides and insect repellents.
- Button batteries, such as those found in musical greeting cards, key fobs, toys, etc.
- Any type of oil or lubricant, including fragrance oils, tiki torch oils, engine oil, etc.
- Personal care products, especially contact lens disinfectants and hand sanitizers.
- Other chemicals or substances.
Did you know that many common houseplants can be toxic?
Kids are curious and often put things into their mouths, including plants. Some common poisonous houseplants include poinsettia, pothos, peace lily, philodendron and ZZ plants.
You can prevent poisonings from houseplants by following these simple tips:
- Identify any poisonous plants in your home and remove them if possible.
- Place remaining poisonous plants up high and out of reach of children.
- Teach your children not to eat plants, berries, or mushrooms.
If your child eats a plant, call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Poison control centers are available 24/7 for fast, free, confidential, expert advice.
Teens are curious and might experiment with substances or participate in social media challenges. Remember to:
- Talk openly about the dangers of substances and social media challenges.
- Teach your teen about the Poison Help hotline and encourage them to save the number in their phone: 1-800-222-1222.
- Call the Poison Help hotline if you have questions about potential poisons.
If you or your teen have poison-related questions, call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222. This service is always free, fast, confidential and non-judgmental.
Older Adults and Medicine Safety
Accidents happen. It’s easy to forget if you’ve taken your medication, especially if you’re busy or distracted. Here are some tips to prevent accidental double-dosing:
- Set medication reminders on your phone or calendar.
- Read labels carefully before taking medication.
- Use a pill organizer to help you keep track of your medications.
If you’ve accidentally taken too much medicine, call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
Learn more poison prevention tips with these helpful resources:
Learn how your local poison control center can help you: