SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) will join poison centers and poison prevention partners across the country in celebrating National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), March 15-21, 2026. Over 70 years ago, UPCC began this lifesaving work and has handled over 2 million poison cases. UPCC continues to provide free, expert, and confidential poison help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is also dedicated to poison prevention education. NPPW brings awareness and highlights ways to prevent poisonings from happening in the first place. The theme for NPPW is “When the unexpected happens, Poison Help is here for you!”
Poison Center services are a huge value to Utah and other states in the nation. A recent national study published by RAND, found that for every $1 spent on poison center services, an estimated $16.77 is saved! The UPCC manages about 40,000 poison cases each year. While just over 50% involve children 5 years old or younger, older children, teens, and adults are also at risk of poisoning. The Poison Center is something you never outgrow! With poisoning as the leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States and in Utah, it is vital to turn to an accredited poison center for poisoning help and poison prevention information. UPCC provides these excellent services to all Utahns throughout the state.
“When the unexpected happens, don’t waste valuable time searching the internet for answers. Pick up the phone and call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222,” said Amberly Johnson, UPCC Director. “With so much inaccurate information online, it’s more important than ever to talk with our dedicated and caring health care team. They are ready to help anytime, day or night, with treatment advice specifically for the person needing help. And since about 75% of our poison exposures are handled right over the phone without needing to go to the hospital, calling UPCC also saves valuable time and money.”
The poison center provides outreach education to help teach people about poison dangers and ways to prevent a poisoning. “Poison prevention is vital to saving lives and keeping people safe. Making poison safety a year-round priority will go a long way in helping to decrease poisonings,” Johnson said. To help prevent poisonings, UPCC offers the following tips:
- Be prepared for a poison emergency. Keep the Poison Help number at your fingertips by saving it on your phone 1-800-222-1222.
- Practice safe storage. Always store medicines, household cleaners, and hazardous products up and away from children. Keep them in their original, child-resistant containers.
- Read and follow directions. Review instructions on prescription and over-the-counter medicine and on all other product labels before using them.
- Dispose of unused or expired medicine. Take these medications to a drop-box location to dispose of them safely.
- Detect invisible threats. Have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.
The UPCC has many poison prevention tools to help keep you and your family safe. Visit the UPCC website utahpoisoncontrol.org to find resources for all ages. Follow #NPPW26 on social media and connect with UPCC on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, X, TikTok and Instagram @utahpoison during NPPW and throughout the year for messages, alerts, and tips.
About the Utah Poison Control Center
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The UPCC is a 24-hour resource for poison information, clinical toxicology consultation, and poison prevention education.
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The UPCC is a program of the State of Utah and is administratively housed in the University of Utah, College of Pharmacy.
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The UPCC is nationally certified as a regional poison control center.