National Poison Prevention Week

March 15-22, 2025, is National Poison Prevention Week. NPPW is used to raise awareness of risks associated with poisonous substances, safety precautions, and the use of the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) and website, PoisonHelp.org. In case of a poison emergency, call the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222). If someone is unconscious, seizing, or unable to breathe, dial 911 right away.

According to America’ s Poison Centers, 90% of poisonings happen in homes in America each year, and more than 70% of people who call Poison Help get the help they need right where they are. The Poison Help hotline has many locations across the United States. In Virginia, we have the Virginia Poison Center and the Blue Ridge Poison Center. They are free 24/7 emergency services that assess situations and provide first-aid actions. These services help physicians and residents in Virginia with poisonous chemical exposure. They have specially trained registered nurses answering calls to provide assistance and treatment at the call center. If the poisoning is serious, the call center will refer the person to the nearest health care facility equipped to handle poisonings.

Related webpages:

Poison Centers | Poison Help

National Capital Poison Center

National Poison Prevention Week 2022

This week is National Poison Prevention Week. People of all ages are at risk of poisoning, from things as varied as insect stings, medication overdoses, eating or touching poisonous plants, accidental exposure to household cleaners, or recreational drugs. If you or a loved one may have been poisoned, you can call 1-800-222-1222 to reach local Poison Center staff for advice. Poison Center staff are experts in poisoning, and can help you determine whether you should seek medical help.  Add the National Poison Centers hotline to your contacts list to be able to rapidly contact poison experts no matter where you are in the country.

Virginia Marijuana Laws Changing July 1

On July 1, Virginia’s marijuana laws are changing to allow adults 21 years and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, and to grow in their homes up to four plants per household.  Visit cannabis.virginia.gov for details on the requirements for legal possession of marijuana.

Marijuana is a drug, and is dangerous for children to consume.  Store marijuana, including whole plants, out of reach of children.  Be especially careful with edibles such as candies and baked goods.  These are attractive to children and they could easily eat a very high dose.

If a child consumes marijuana, or if you are concerned about an adult’s reaction after consuming marijuana, contact the National Poison Centers’ hotline at (800) 222-1222.

Poison Prevention Week 2021

This week, March 18-24, is National Poison Prevention Week.  This is a week set aside every year for poisoning awareness.  Most poisonings happen in the home, through exposure to substances such as carbon monoxide, medications, or household cleaners.  You can make your home more safe by installing a carbon monoxide detector, securing medications and safely disposing of medications you no longer need, storing household cleaners safely, and choosing less hazardous cleaners.

If someone in your home may have been poisoned, such as by taking too much medicine or being exposed to a household cleaner, the National Poison Centers can help.  If a person is unconscious or not breathing, call 911. If they are not in immediate danger, call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) to be connected with a local Poison Control Center. A poison expert will answer your questions and help you determine if medical help is necessary.

Visit Poison Help for more information.

National Poison Prevention Week 2021, March 21 – 27

This coming week is National Poison Prevention week, a week dedicated to raising awareness to poison control centers and the Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222). The American Association of Poison Control Centers has events scheduled throughout the week to help you and your children learn about how to prevent accidental poisonings.

Poison Prevention Week 2021 Event Schedule