National Poison Prevention Week is observed annually during the third full week of March, shining a light on the hidden dangers of household products and medications. Take proactive steps to secure your home, educate your family, and know the immediate actions to take in case of an emergency. Learn more about prevention and safety measures this week.
Want to sponsor National Poison Prevention Week? Learn how
Expected National Poison Prevention Week Deals
During National Poison Prevention Week, the focus shifts from commercial deals to crucial awareness and educational initiatives. Organizations like the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) and Safe Kids Worldwide often partner with health agencies and community groups to offer free educational materials, webinars, and safety checklists. Many local poison control centers distribute child-resistant packaging and medication disposal kits. Pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson and cleaning product manufacturers like Procter & Gamble may promote safe storage tips and proper usage guidelines for their products. We encourage everyone to visit the official websites of these organizations for vital resources and information on keeping homes poison-safe.
Platform Guide for National Poison Prevention Week
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #PoisonPreventionWeek. Share visual tips for safe storage of medications and cleaning supplies, or infographics on common household poisons.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #PoisonPreventionWeek. Share real-time safety alerts, quick facts about poison dangers, and links to emergency resources.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PoisonPreventionWeek. Host a live Q&A with a local poison control expert or share community resources for safe disposal.
National Poison Prevention Week Hero
Dr. Jay Arena
History of National Poison Prevention Week
National Poison Prevention Week was established by Congress in 1961 with the aim of creating awareness and lowering the number of unintentional poisonings. The first National Poison Prevention Week was observed in March 1962 under the presidency of John F. Kennedy.
Over 2 million potential poisonings are reported in the U.S every year, with over 90% of these occurring in the home and the majority of them being young children. Every day over 300 children require treatment in an emergency department, with an average of two deaths per day being recorded. Most of these incidents revolve around highly toxic household items such as cleaning products and medicine.
In 1962 the National Poison Prevention Week Council was established to oversee National Poison Prevention Week. They focus their energies on partnering with other agencies such as the National Safety Council and the American Cleaning Institute to try and be more effective in their awareness campaigns.
National Poison Prevention Week timeline
Child-resistant closures were made for aspirin bottles after the Poison Prevention Packaging Act was passed. This was mandatory for prescriptions, over the counter medicine, and all dangerous household products.
The National Poison Prevention Week Council is established to help with the awareness campaign.
Congress established National Poison Prevention Week on Sept.16, 1961. The National Poison Prevention Week now is held the third week in March each year.
The first poison center in the United States opens at Presbyterian-St Luke's Hospital in Chicago.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Poison Prevention Week
Local businesses can support National Poison Prevention Week by promoting safety awareness within their communities. Pharmacies can offer free medication disposal kits and counsel customers on safe storage. Hardware stores can highlight child-resistant locks and safety latches. Daycares and schools can host educational workshops for parents on identifying and securing common household poisons. Even local restaurants can share safety tips on their social media, reminding patrons to secure cleaning supplies at home. The key is to offer actionable advice and resources that help prevent accidental poisonings.
National Poison Prevention Week FAQs
When is National Poison Prevention Week?
In 2027, National Poison Prevention Week will be observed from Sunday, March 14, through Saturday, March 20. It’s a vital time to review and update your household’s safety protocols.
How many poison exposures occur annually in the U.S.?
Annually, poison control centers in the U.S. handle approximately 2.1 million calls related to poison exposures. This highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and education in preventing these incidents.
What are the most common types of poison exposures?
Common culprits in poison exposures often involve analgesics, household cleaning substances, cosmetics, and sedatives/hypnotics. Keeping these items in their original, child-resistant packaging and out of reach is paramount.
What is the Poison Help Line number?
For immediate, expert advice in a poisoning emergency, call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. This number connects you to a local poison control center from anywhere in the U.S.
How To Celebrate Poison National Prevention Week
Educate yourself
If you don’t know much about poison prevention and would like to learn more, visit the Poison Help website, which educates us on ways to prevent poisoning and how to respond if it occurs. The more information you know, the better.
Do some spring cleaning
Since National Poison Prevention Week and Spring fall in the same week, this is the perfect time to deep clean the rooms in your home, get rid of old and outdated products, and open windows when using strong chemicals to allow air into the house.
Participate with friends
The National Poison Prevention Week Council holds an annual poster contest to promote National Poison Prevention Week. This is a fun activity you could do with your friends. After you make your posters, put them up in your neighborhoods to spread more awareness.
Five Facts About National Poison Prevention Week
Poisons pose a threat of widespread danger
About 30 children die every year from being poisoned by common household items, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
They're also a source of close calls and worry
The Consumer Product Safety Commission also reports that accidental poisoning accounts for more than 2 million calls each year to poison control centers and more than 80,000 visits to the emergency room.
Effective advocacy and education can help
National Poison Prevention Week contributed to an 80 percent reduction in poison-related deaths since the early 1970s.
There's a particularly ominous threat out there
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no color or smell. Cars, appliances, furnaces, and other household items can emit carbon monoxide.
Poison control centers are always available
Someone calls a U.S. poison control center every 12 seconds. Poison centers are here 24/7 to help and support us when poisonings happen, but to prevent them at all costs.
Why National Poison Prevention Week is Important
Protecting our children is our top priority
The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that 9 out of 10 unintentional child poisonings happen in the home. Poison Prevention Week gives us the tools to make sure our children don't become another statistic.
There's so much to know
It's easy to become overwhelmed by all the warning labels affixed to the products we bring into our homes. Poison Prevention Week inspires us to learn the basics and to continuously update our knowledge with the latest info.
Parents must get involved
Parents play a critical role in helping their tweens learn about the responsible use of OTC (over-the-counter) medicines.
National Poison Prevention Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March 15–21 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2027 | March 14–20 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2028 | March 19–25 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2029 | March 18–24 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2030 | March 17–23 | Sunday–Saturday |
Social Media Tips for National Poison Prevention Week
Individuals
Creators
Brands