Mandy Slag, RN, MPH, Poison Center Educator & EMSC Advisory Committee Member
During National Poison Prevention Week, March 17-23 or anytime, the Minnesota Poison Control System is here when your “unexpected” happens. call 1-800-222-1222. Our poison experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a free, confidential, service for you and your loved ones, and we encourage you to learn more about this life-saving resource for all ages.
Did you know that with the help of poison experts 92% of calls are safely managed at home? Our poison experts can help save you from an unnecessary trip to the hospital. Medical professionals contact the Poison Center to receive the most accurate advice from the poison experts, too.
Every day we answer questions and help in emergencies. Whether your curious child swallows hand sanitizer, your older relative mistakenly took someone else’s medicine, or you breathe in cleaning product fumes, when your unexpected happens we are here for you. Save our number, 1-800-222-1222, to your phone no matter your age or where you are so you can be prepared in a poison emergency. Be on the lookout on the evening of March 18, some of Minneapolis’ bridges and buildings will be lit up red including the 35W Bridge, Lowry Bridge, and Capella Tower.
Some ways to participate in National Poison Prevention Week:
- Complete our online poison prevention training course at training.mnpoison.org. The training is free of charge, self-paced and shares basic information about the Poison Center and poison prevention.
- Check out our quarterly e-newsletter at https://mnpoison.org/poison-prevention-antidote/ The Poison Prevention Antidote educate the public about the Poison Center’s services and how to prevent poisonings in everyday life. This newsletter will provide information about a variety of poison-related topics that apply to all ages.
- Order free Poison Help magnets, stickers, and brochures at https://mnpoison.org/order-materials/. Share these materials within your department, with your child’s school or childcare center, with your friends, at a health fair, or any other place you can think of.
Lastly, check out our daily tweets @mnpoisoncenter and posts on our Facebook page and Instagram page throughout the week for details about online activities. Participate in our social media look-alike guessing game for a chance to win a prize.