Poison Prevention Week

Rethink Poisons

This year for National Poison Prevention Week, March 15 - 21, 2026, the Injury Prevention Centre is encouraging Albertans to Rethink Poisons.

Not all poisons are marked with skulls and crossbones. In fact the leading cause of poisonings in Canada is medications. This includes prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and natural health products.

Every year, medications are the number one substance that people call poison centres about. Poison centres get about 100 calls every day about pain medicines! Common pain medicines are:

  • Acetaminophen (like Tylenol®)
  • Ibuprofen (like Advil®)

Most of us have OTC medicines and natural health products in our homes. They are easy to find at the store or order online without a prescription.

But just because they are easy to buy doesn’t mean they are always safe. If these products aren't stored properly or used the right way, they can be dangerous for anyone - including kids, teens, and adults.

Interested in Promoting Poison Prevention in Your Community?

You can share information on how to prevent medication poisoning in your community. Access promotional materials to download or order.

Poison Prevention in Action: By The Numbers

(2025)

43

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

6,375

RESOURCES ORDERED

773

RESOURCES DOWNLOADED

Preventing Medications Poisoning.

There are simple actions we can take to protect ourselves, our families, and friends from medication poisoning.

Parent giving cough syrup to child

  • Store all prescription and OTC medications, vitamins and natural health products somewhere high such as the top of the fridge or in a high cupboard. Lock them up and keep them out of sight and reach of children.
  • Visitors to our homes may carry medications with them. Keep their coats and bags out of reach of children.
  • Always read the instructions on the medication bottle before you take any medicine or give it to someone else.
  • Follow the instructions for how much medicine to take. The instructions will tell you:
    • How much of the medicine you can take at one time.
    • How often you can take it.
    • How much you can take in 24 hours.
  • If you give medicine to a child, be sure to follow the instructions for their age and weight.
  • Mixing medicines can be dangerous.
    • Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before you start a new medicine, vitamin, or natural health product.
    • If you take a medicine containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen, do not take another medicine with the same ingredient.
    • Do not mix medicines with cannabis or alcohol.
  • When buying OTC medications:
    • Choose the smaller size when buying OTC medicines. Many medications come in a variety of package sizes. By having a smaller amount of medicine in your home, you can reduce the risk of poisoning.
    • Make sure medicines are in child-resistant packaging.
  • Take expired medicines and those you no longer need to a pharmacy that is part of the ENVIRx program to safely dispose of unused and expired medicines.

Possible poisoning?

If you are concerned that someone has been poisoned, call Canada’s toll-free 24/7 national poison centre number:
1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669)

Additional information

Have questions?

Contact us for more information about Poison Prevention Week.

Get social.

Use these hashtags on social media to discuss Poison Prevention in Action.

#PoisonPrevention #NPPW

These Lands.

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are primarily located on the territory of the Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway / Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.

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