Every year, over 2.4 million people contact a poison center regarding a poison exposure in the United States. Children younger than 3 years old are involved in nearly 40% of the exposures and approximately 50% of all exposures occur in children under 6 years of age.

At the Iowa Poison Control Center, we offer various programs designed to promote awareness and prevent accidental and intentional exposures. Prioritize your family’s safety by staying educated on the latest poison prevention tips.

Select from our topic-based prevention areas below:

  • For A Safe Home
    • Some of the most common household products, such as cleaning solutions, laundry products, and garden supplies can be highly hazardous. To ensure household safety, store these products in locked cabinets to prevent children and pets from mistaking them for something edible.
  • For Children
    • Accidental poisonings can happen quickly and often in the child’s home. Common poisons ingested by children include medications, household cleaners, cosmetics, and poisonous plants. Curb potential poisonings by using child-resistant latches on cabinets and keep products in their original packaging out of children’s reach.
  • For Seniors
    • One of the most common types of poisoning among seniors is food poisoning. Aging leads to a decreased appetite and weakened immune system, increasing the risk of infection from contaminated food. To reduce this risk, refrigerate or freeze leftovers two hours after cooking and consume cooked food promptly.
  • Common Types of Poisoning
    • Poisonings can be caused by a variety of factors including alcohol, carbon monoxide, nicotine, and more. Learn about some of the most common poisons, their symptoms, and poison prevention tips.
  • Seasonal Hazards
    • The onset of winter not only brings cold weather but also illness, holiday decorations, and parties. Prioritize your child's safety by double-checking medication doses, keeping alcohol out of reach, and storing car care products and sidewalk salt in locked cabinets.

The Iowa Poison Control Center (IPCC) provides free 24-hour treatment advice for poison emergencies through a national toll-free telephone hotline, as well as poison education and other safety tips.

If you suspect there has been a poisoning, don’t wait. Call the poison center number at 1-800-222-1222 for poison help.