Last Updated: March 16, 2026
National Poison Prevention Week is March 15-21
Poisonings can happen to anyone, at any age. Everyday items, like medications, cleaning products, cosmetics, and even certain plants, can be harmful if used incorrectly or accessed by children or pets. During National Poison Prevention Week, the Local Health District highlights steps Virginians can take to stay safe.
Tips to Prevent Poisoning
The Norfolk Health District shares simple steps families and caregivers can take to reduce injuries and save lives:
- Keep all medicines in their original containers with labels intact
- Store medicines, chemicals, and household cleaners in locked cabinets or out of children’s reach
- Install and maintain a working carbon monoxide detector
- Follow all label instructions when using cleaning products, pesticides, or chemicals
Fortunately, if a poison emergency happens, help is always available. Just call 800-222-1222.
Poison Help in Virginia
Virginia is served by two poison control centers that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Virginia Poison Center serves central and eastern Virginia. The Blue Ridge Poison Center services northern and western Virginia.
Calls are answered by specially trained registered nurses who can assess the situation and provide first-aid instructions. When needed, callers are referred to the nearest health care facility equipped to manage poison emergencies.
Of the 30,916 cases, the Virginia Poison Center handled in 2025, 78% were unintentional exposures. Children, ages five years old and younger, account for the largest percentage of exposures. Analgesics were the number one substance reported followed by household cleaners, cardiovascular drugs, cosmetic/personal care products, and antihistamines.
When to Call Poison Help
Virginians are urged to call 1‑800‑222‑1222 right away if someone may have:
- Swallowed something harmful
- Gotten a dangerous substance on their skin or in their eyes
- Breathed in a toxic fume or gas
- Overdosed on any substance
- Been bitten or stung by a snake, spider, or other venomous creature
Poison Help is only a phone call away. Calling Poison Help is free and confidential. You do not need to wait for symptoms to appear.