National Poison Prevention Week is observed annually the third full week of March. National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) was established by congress in 1961. The week is dedicated to raising awareness about poison centers and the Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222). This number works everywhere in the U.S. and its territories. Calls are answered by trained healthcare professionals. This is a free service!

Future Observances of National Poison Prevention Week:
2024: March 17-23

Check back for social media resources that are coming soon.   

The Iowa Poison Control Center offers the following poison prevention tips:

  1. If you think someone has been poisoned, call 1-800-222-1222 right away. Serious poisonings don't always have early signs.
  2. Save the number for your poison control center in your cell phone contacts. Text the word POISON to 797979 to download the business card for poison control to your mobile phone.  
  3. Keep medicines and household products in their original containers in a different place than food.
  4. Always read product labels and follow any directions.
  5. Keep household products and medicines locked up. Put them up high and out of sight and reach of young children.
  6. Buy products with child-resistant packaging. But remember, nothing is child-proof.
  7. Never call medicine "candy." Poisons may look like food or drink. Teach children to ask an adult before tasting anything.
  8. Learn about products and drugs that young people use to get "high." Talk to your teen or pre-teen about these dangers.
  9. Have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison control center, anywhere in the United States. The call is free, private, 24/7/365, and expert help from a nurse or pharmacist is available.  We have interpreters available in more than 150 languages if needed.