The Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) will join poison centers and poison prevention partners across the country in celebrating the 55th annual National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), March 19-25, 2017, a week dedicated to raising awareness about poisoning and highlighting specific ways to prevent it.
The UPCC assisted in the management of over 40,000 poison exposures last year alone. While 60% of exposures in Utah involve children younger than six years of age, poisonings can happen at any age. If you think you or a loved one may have been exposed to a poison, do not hesitate to call the poison center for help. "Calling the Poison Control Center is free and confidential. When you call, you will speak directly with a toxicology expert," said Barbara Insley Crouch, UPCC Executive Director. "Don't waste valuable time searching online. The poison center provides accurate and timely medical advice anytime, day or night."
Poison exposures involve a vast array of substances in the home and environment and can occur in many ways. In 2016, 92% of all poison exposures reported to the UPCC occurred in the home. Common exposures include analgesics (pain medicine), household cleaners, cosmetic/personal care products, vitamins/minerals, bites/stings, and foreign bodies such as button batteries and toys. In Utah, 76% of poison exposure cases in 2016 were managed on-site with the advice of a poison center expert, avoiding many unnecessary trips to emergency departments and health care providers, thus saving time and money.
During National Poisoning Prevention Week, UPCC wants to remind the public that while poisoning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States, many poisonings are preventable. Poison prevention is a year-round responsibility. The poison center has a variety of poison prevention tools to help keep you and your family safe from poison exposures. "It is vital that people implement poison prevention strategies in the home and the workplace" Crouch said. Visit the UPCC website utahpoisoncontrol.org to access resources for all ages.
The UPCC will join poison centers across the country in promoting the themes of National Poison Prevention Week: Children Act Fast; So Do Poisons and Poisonings Span a Lifetime. Additionally, the following daily themes will be observed during the week:
- Monday, March 20– Children Act Fast ... So Do Poisons
- Tuesday, March 21– Poison Centers: Saving You Time and Money
- Wednesday, March 22– Poisonings Span a Lifetime
- Thursday, March 23– Home, Safe Home
- Friday, March 24 – Medication Safety
Connect with UPCC on Facebook and Twitter @utahpoison during NPPW and throughout the year for messages, alerts, and tips on poison prevention. #NPPW2017 #PreventPoison
If the unthinkable happens, it is vital to know help is just a phone call away. Call UPCC first for expert advice from our specially trained pharmacists and nurses who are toxicology experts. Program your cell phone with the Poison Help number and post it near your home phone. Save the number...save a life 1-800-222-1222.
About the Utah Poison Control Center
The UPCC was established in 1954. It was one of the first poison centers in the United States. The UPCC is a program of the University of Utah, College of Pharmacy; staffed around-the-clock with experts who can help people of all ages in any poisoning situation. No poison exposure is too big or too small.