55th Annual National Poison Prevention Week Approaches

55th Annual National Poison Prevention Week Approaches

by Scott A. Meyers, Executive Vice President
February 21, 2017

It’s only February, but as Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast,” so consequently we’re warning you early so you and your pharmacy department can be prepared and make a difference. The third full week in March is normally designated as National Poison Prevention Week and has been now for 55 years. The purpose is to call attention to the dangers of accidental poisonings and to help parents, grandparents and anyone who cares for young children to be aware of how quickly accidental poisonings can occur and how to prevent them.

This year each weekday has a designated theme:1

Monday, March 20th – Children Act Fast…So Do Poisons
Tuesday, March 21st – Poison Centers: Saving You Time and Money
Wednesday, March 22nd – Poisonings Span a Lifetime
Thursday, March 23rd – Home Safe Home
Friday, March 24th – Medicine Safety

Perhaps these themes will help you create presentations, posters or cafeteria table tents that will help inform your visitors, patients and even school children and their parents. Certainly Friday’s theme is one we all should be able to speak about!

If you looking for 15 minutes or maybe only 15 seconds of fame, ask your local municipality to proclaim the week Poison Prevention Week for your city, town or village. If they agree, let the local newspapers and television stations know that a presentation will be made at city hall. You would be surprised at how interested they might be! Years ago, I sure was.

Don’t let this important week pass you and your pharmacy department by. Start planning now and get your whole institution fired up about accidental poisonings. It’s just another way you can save a life!

¹ National Poison Prevention Week. American Association of Poison Control Centers. http://www.aapcc.org/prevention/nppw/ (accessed 2017 January).

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