Be prepared.
Save your poison center's number: 1-800-222-1222 (US only).
Save the webPOISONCONTROL online tool as a browser favorite.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping area of your home.
Poison proof every home where your child spends time.
Lock medicines and household products out of your child’s reach, even between doses.
Use child-resistant packaging. Replace caps securely.
Store household products in a different place from food and medicine.
Keep purses out of your child’s reach.
Use medicines safely.
Read the label before taking or giving medicine. Follow instructions exactly.
Use the correct dosing syringe or cup, NOT a household spoon.
Ask your child’s pediatrician before giving any herbal medicine or supplement.
These especially hazardous household products must always be kept out of a child’s reach. Buy small quantities only. Discard unneeded extras safely.
Keep button batteries out of reach of children. Secure the battery compartment on remote controls, key fobs, cameras, watches, flameless candles, and every battery-powered product.
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Squishy toys are filled with a gel or solids that are minimally toxic if a child bites into one or swallows a small amount. The primary risks are choking in very young children and severe burns from a toy that has been microwaved, frozen, or left somewhere hot. Counterfeit toys present a risk as well, as they may contain lead, solvents, or unregulated substances.
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Bemotrizinol is a new chemical sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It is not absorbed into the body, rarely causes skin irritation, is photostable and does not degrade in sunlight, and is transparent so it does not leave a white color on the skin. Allergic reactions are possible. The brand name is Parsol Shield. It is approved for adults and children 6 months of age and older.
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Eating raw flour is not advisable since it can cause food poisoning from bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. Homemade play dough is not safe for children since it contains raw flour. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, fever, and headache. Treatment may include oral or intravenous fluids, depending on severity.
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Peanut allergy is an immune response to peanut proteins. It usually lasts a lifetime. Symptoms range from skin rashes and wheezing to tingling of the mouth and throat, throat tightness, and lip swelling. Life-threatening effects include anaphylaxis and respiratory distress. Avoid peanuts and carry an epinephrine autoinjector. Giving peanuts at an early age decreases the risk of peanut allergy.
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Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic reaction to a sugar found in mammals. It is transmitted by the lone star tick bite. Onset is 6 hours after ingesting red meat and other alpha-gal substances. Symptoms include hives, vomiting, wheezing, and anaphylaxis. Treatment is avoiding meat and other alpha-gal substances. Reactions are treated with antihistamines and epinephrine auto-injectors.
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National Poison Prevention Week was March 15–21, 2026. The commemorative week was established in 1961 to promote public awareness about how to prevent and respond to poison incidents. You can prevent most unintentional poisonings, but when you need it, expert help is just a click or call away.
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Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication used as an anti-inflammatory agent and for pain or fever relief. Low dose aspirin is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease, and sometimes in pregnancy to prevent preeclampsia. Normal side effects include stomach upset and indigestion. Aspirin overdose can be life-threatening.
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Up to 10% of people who take penicillin can have an allergic reaction. However, life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) are very rare. Most people with a penicillin allergy can safely take related medications, including cephalosporins.
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Water from a private well can be threatened by numerous contaminants, either naturally or due to human activities. Many contaminants can have detrimental health effects. While the Safe Drinking Water Act ensures the safety of public water supply systems, the responsibility for ensuring the quality and safety of private well water falls on the owner.
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Just because something is "natural", it isn't necessarily safe to casually eat or use. Originally, all remedies came from nature. Yew is an example of a plant with medicinal value that can be poisonous if eaten.
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