opinion

Today marks the start of National Poison Prevention Week, an important time to raise awareness of the widespread risks of poisoning across all age groups.

March 18, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

Each year in Canada, more than 1,500 people die and nearly 8,000 are hospitalized due to unintentional poisoning from various everyday products such as medications and household cleaners. Today marks the start of National Poison Prevention Week, an important time to raise awareness of the widespread risks of poisoning across all age groups.

In keeping with this year’s theme Poisoning Prevention: Strengthening Canada for a Safer FutureHealth Canada invites everyone to learn about poison prevention and explore the resources available to them, including poison centers, which are important information hubs, and the national POISON-X phone line.

Since its launch last year, Health Canada’s toll-free hotline, 1-844-POISON-X (or 1-800-463-5060 in Quebec), has been working smoothly in collaboration with four Canadian poison control centers. This 24/7 number facilitates connection to poison control centers across the country and plays an important role in saving lives and providing immediate medical advice when poisoning is suspected. This hotline also reduces the burden on our healthcare system by reducing unnecessary visits to hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices.

Poison control centers play an important role in solving many cases of accidental poisoning at home. With an impressive volume of more than 210,000 calls per year on average, poison control centers manage to resolve more than 60% of problems and incidents over the phone. Thanks to Health Canada’s toll-free hotline, 1-844 POISON-X (or 1-800-463-5060 in Quebec), help is available in no time. One of the main goals of this service is to make Canadians aware of the resources available to them and to give them the tools to protect themselves and their families. Save this number in your phone and tell your friends, family and community about it – one day it could be your lifesaver.

The Honorable Mark Holland, PC, MP

contacts

Christopher Aoun
Press spokesman
Office of the Honorable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
613-291-4176

Media relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca