Poison Prevention Week - Safe Storage Prevents Poisoning

This year for National Poison Prevention Week, March 20 - 26, 2022, the Injury Prevention Centre (IPC), the Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS), Alberta Health Services, and community partners are encouraging Albertans to take steps to safely store all poisons in and around their homes.

All homes contain a variety of products that have the potential to be poisonous. Items like medications, hand sanitizers, cleaners and other personal care products can cause poisoning if used incorrectly. By taking steps to safely store these products, older adults can protect themselves, grandchildren and other visitors from poisoning and serious injury.

Safe storage of poisons in their original containers locked up tight and out of sight helps ensure they are used correctly and for their intended purpose. If there is a concern that someone has been poisoned, call the poison centre, PADIS at 1-800-332-1414.

For the campaign, IPC has developed some resources that can be shared with older adults to provide information about safe storage of poisons including a home checklist, and posters demonstrating different ways to safely store poisons. These resources are available for free to download.

If you have any questions about the campaign or safe storage of poisons, please contact Patti Stark at the Injury Prevention Centre, School of Public Health at the University of Alberta.

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