Poison Prevention Week 2026

Published March 2, 2026

National Poison Prevention Week is March 15-21, 2026.

When the unexpected happens, Poison Help is here for you with fast, free treatment advice. Call the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or visit PoisonHelp.org to ask for help. Whether it’s a question or an emergency, the Poison Help line connects you to your local poison center for life-saving information when people need it most. Calling a poison center is faster and more accurate than an internet search. Each year, about 90% of poisonings in the United States happen in homes, and more than 70% of people who call Poison Help get the help they need right where they are—saving the cost of a trip to a healthcare professional or hospital.

Fast facts about Poison Help:

• Poison Centers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days aweek, 365 days a year for questions and emergencies.
• Experts at the Poison Help line can answer questions about various types of poisoning including bites and stings from snakes, insects, scorpions, spiders, and more!
• Detergent pods, cleaners, mouthwash, and soap can be poisonous if swallowed or if they get on your skin or in your eyes; call the Poison Help line for advice.
• Kids get into a lot of things; if they get into medicines, vitamins, supplements, or other products (i.e., nicotine gum,cannabis gummies), contact Poison Help right away.

Here’s what you can do: Save the Poison Help number (1-800-222-1222) as one of your contact numbers in your cell phone. Post the phone number and/or website (PoisonHelp.org) on your refrigerator or somewhere in your home where family members can find it. The best way to protect your children from accidental poisoning is to do a walk through of your home and yard. Be sure to check the bathroom, kitchen, garage, laundry room, nightstand drawers, medication storage areas, pool, and outdoor play areas for potential hazards (i.e., medicines, chemicals, cleaning solutions, products without child-resistant caps). Consider the following:

• All medicines, including children’s vitamins, should be treated as a potential poison.
• Read the labels of household products you use. Look for words such as Caution, Warning, Poison, Danger, or Keep Out of Reach of Children.
• Gather all potentially poisonous items and make sure they have child safety caps in place.
• Store all potential poisons on a high shelf or cabinet where children cannot reach them and secure the cabinets with child safety locks.
• Keep chemicals and cleaning products in their original container (the product label has important safety information). Never store chemicals or cleaners with food.

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