Minister of Health Highlights the Importance of Poison Prevention

March 19, 2012
For immediate release

OTTAWA - To mark Poison Prevention Week (March 18-24), the Government of Canada is joining consumer product safety agencies in the United States and Mexico to call attention to the dangers of unintentional poisoning, one of the leading causes of injury among children.

Unintentional poisoning is a preventable injury. Yet each year, thousands of children in Canada are taken to emergency rooms after consuming poisonous substances.

"The most effective way of reducing injuries due to poisoning is through prevention," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "Parents and caregivers should learn basic poison prevention techniques as most of these injuries occur in and around the home."

While child-resistant packaging, critical safety messaging and education efforts have contributed to a significant decline in injuries and deaths, Canada, the US and Mexico are aiming to further reduce the number of unintentional poisonings. The three countries' consumer product safety agencies have committed to working together to raise awareness among consumers, who play a critical role of safely choosing, using, and disposing of products.

Among the recommended safety tips:

• Parents and caregivers are urged to keep chemicals, medications, cleaning supplies and art supplies not meant for children safely stored in a locked cabinet or box, out of the reach of children.
• Parents and caregivers should keep household chemicals and medicines in their original containers and leave the original labels on the products.
• Older children should be aware of the dangers associated with poisonings and help their parents keep younger siblings in sight.
• If a poisoning is suspected, the local Poison Control Centre or 911 should be contacted immediately.

In addition to a joint awareness campaign with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Mexico's Consumer Protection Federal Agency (Profeco) and Federal Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS), Health Canada is also working with Safe Kids Canada and the Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres to create and distribute resources for ongoing poison prevention education initiatives. These initiatives aim to increase awareness of ways to avoid unintentional poisoning and ultimately reduce poison-related injuries in Canada.

For more information on unintentional poisoning and for tips on how to prevent them, please visit the websites for Health Canada, Safe Kids Canada and the Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres.

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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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