he Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) will join poison centers and poison prevention partners across the country in celebrating the 58th annual National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), March 15-21, 2020. The week is dedicated to raising awareness about poisoning and highlighting ways to prevent it. During NPPW, 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.
The UPCC manages about 45,000 poison cases each year. While approximately 60% of exposures in Utah involve ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵren younger than 6 years of age, poisonings can happen to anyone at any age. "If you think you or a loved one may have been exposed to a poison, do not hesitate to call for help," said Amberly Johnson, UPCC Director. "Avoid wasting valuable time searching the internet for answers. When you call, you will speak directly with a health care professional who is experienced in managing poison exposures. Calling the poison control center is free, confidential, and is available 24 hours a day."
In addition to lifesaving services, the poison center also provides educational outreach to inform the public about the dangers of poisons and ways to prevent a poisoning. "It is vital that people make poison safety a year-round priority. Poison prevention strategies will go a long way in helping to decrease poisonings in the home and the workplace," Johnson said. To help prevent poisonings, UPCC offers the following recommendations:
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ï‚· Be prepared for an emergency. Keep the poison control phone number at your fingertips by saving it in your cell phone. Save the number...save a life. 1-800-222-1222
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ï‚· Practice safe storage habits. Always store medicines and hazardous substances up and away from ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵren. Keep these substances in their original, ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ resistant containers.
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ï‚· Read and follow all labels and directions. Review medicine and product labels before using them, especially before giving medicine to ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵren.
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ï‚· Detect invisible threats. Have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.
The UPCC has a variety of poison prevention tools to help keep you and your family safe. Visit the UPCC website utahpoisoncontrol.org to access resources for all ages. Follow NPPW on social media at #PoisonHelp, #PreventPoison, and #NPPW20. Connect with UPCC on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram @utahpoison during NPPW and throughout the year for messages, alerts, and tips.
About the Utah Poison Control Center
The UPCC is a 24-hour resource for poison information, clinical toxicology consultation, and poison prevention education. The UPCC is a program of the State of Utah and is administratively housed in the ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ of Utah, College of Pharmacy. The UPCC is nationally certified as a regional poison control center.