In 1961, Congress established National Poison Prevention Week as a national celebration each year during the third full week of March. The observance is sponsored by the National Poison Prevention Week Council, a group of public and private partners committed to reducing unintentional poisonings, promoting poison prevention, and coordinating annual activities to promote National Poison Prevention Week.
Poison Help is a national campaign funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to educate people about how to prevent a poisoning from occurring and how to respond should one occur. The Poison Help Web site, www.PoisonHelp.hrsa.gov, provides resources for parents, teachers, health professionals, and local businesses. It can be used to help with poison prevention activities and provides information for you to locate and contact your local poison center. People can also contact their local poison center through the toll-free Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, for educational materials, information, and assistance with a poisoning emergency in 161 languages.
HRSA is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. HRSA provides national leadership, program resources, and services needed to improve access to culturally competent, quality health care. HRSA funds the toll-free Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, and Poison Help Web site, www.PoisonHelp.hrsa.gov.
