Every year in Canada, over 1,500 lives are lost, and nearly 8,000 people end up in hospitals due to accidental poisoning from everyday items like medicines and household cleaners. This week is National Poison Prevention Week, aimed at spreading awareness about the risks of poisonings for all ages.
Under this year’s theme, “Poison prevention: Empowering Canada for a safer tomorrow,” Health Canada urges everyone to learn about poison prevention and use resources like poison centres and the national POISON-X phone line.
Poison centres handle over 210,000 calls yearly, solving 60% of cases over the phone. With Health Canada’s helpline, help is just a call away. The aim is to empower Canadians with vital knowledge and resources to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Health Canada’s toll-free helpline, 1-844 POISON-X, 1-844-764-7669 (or 1-800-463-5060 in Quebec), launched last year, connects to four Canadian poison centres, providing crucial help 24/7. This service helps save lives, offers medical advice, and reduces strain on healthcare by preventing unnecessary hospital visits.
Save the number, share it with others – it might save you one day.
Written By: K. Milhomens
