Poison Information Network

What's Poisonous?

Anything you eat, breathe or touch that could make you sick.....or even kill you is a potential poison.

Most poisons are well-known, like arsenic and strychnine. But people often are poisoned by products they never suspected could be harmful: TYLENOL, ASPIRIN and cold medicines for example.

Potential poisons are everywhere in your home. Learn about them, and protect every member of your family from the dangers of accidental poisoning.

Children are especially vulnerable to household poisons. Take extra precautions with these products:

About 5 million poisoning exposures occur in the United States each year.

Approximately 75% of these poisoning exposures happen to children under 5 years of age.

Two-year olds are exposed to poisons more often than any other age.

About 40% of all poisoning exposures occur in the kitchen, and approximately 20% occur in the bathroom.

Once a child has swallowed a poison, he or she is more likely to be exposed to a poison again within a year.

Because of help provided by poison centers, approximately 80% of poisoning exposures are treated at home, avoiding unnecessary hospital Emergency Room visits and costs.

Poison Crisis Line - 1-800-222-1222