We help save lives; Help Save Us: America's Poison Control Centers

Nationwide, poisoning is the number two cause of death and injury-related hospitalization in the United States, surpassing even deaths from firearms. For children between the ages of 18 months - 36 months, it is the number one cause of injury-related hospitalization and death. Poison Centers across the nation provide poison prevention education, treatment recommendations, and information services to anyone who calls on the hotline or visits one of the individual state websites. Most people don%u2019t think of the Poison Center until they encounter or ingest a harmful substance. Calling the Poison Center even before 911 can save time, money, and even lives. Unnecessary visits to doctors or emergency rooms can be avoiding by calling the confidential, toll-free number- 1-800-222-1222.

Legislators across the country have made severe cuts to state budgets forcing many centers to close or reduce their ability to respond quickly to incoming emergency calls. The ability for Centers to provide children and adults with information and training on poison safety and prevention has been reduced or eliminated. Research shows such measures will result in increased costs for hospitals and patients who no longer can use the Poison Center services, and injuries increase as the level of knowledge on prevention declines.

Prevention over intervention has been the key for Poison Centers, but without private donations and legislative fiscal support all previous measures of success to reduce the harm of poisoning across the nation will be a thing of the past. Please contact your state Poison Center to see how you can volunteer to help or donate to support the cause. Simply visit their website or call 1-800-222-1222 and say I care, how do I help?  Poison Help