Poison Prevention Week

National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) is an annual campaign to raise public awareness of poisoning, a leading cause of injuries and injury-related deaths in Canada. Our theme for 2027: Small actions. Big impact. Working together for poison prevention.

Running in 2027 from March 14 to 20, Poison Prevention Week encourages communities to take small actions that will add up to big impact across the country. Our hashtag: #SmallActionsPreventPoisoning.

Resources

2026 Poison Prevention Week resources

2026 video shorts

Additional resources

These downloadable resources can be used to educate and inform on the topic of safe storage of cannabis and other poisons.

Poison storage checklist for your house
PDF/UA

Keep your children safe by keeping these household poisons locked up, out of sight and out of reach.

1.17 MB PDF/UA
Poison storage checklist for your apartment
PDF/UA
Parent and Caregiver Tips to Prevent Child Poisoning
PDF/UA

Tips for parents on how to prevent child poisoning from substances around the house.

1.10 MB PDF/UA

Videos: Help is a call away

These videos share stories about poison centre calls and were created in 2023 with funds from Health Canada and in partnership with the Canadian Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (CAPCCT) and Parachute.

Stephanie’s advice: keep the poison centre phone number nearby
Video

Stephanie, a mom of three from P.E.I. talks about why she always keeps the poison centre phone number nearby in the event of a poisoning emergency. Learn how poison centres can help and find the phone number for your poison centre at infopoison.ca.
Panicked when your child eats a mystery plant? Call the poison centre.
Video

Stephanie, a mom of three, talks about her experience calling the poison centre after her daughter ate an unknown plant from the garden. Learn how poison centres can help and find the phone number for your poison centre at infopoison.ca.
“Having the poison centre to call is such a reassurance”: Stephanie, a mother of three children.
Video

Stephanie, a mom of three, talks about her experience calling the poison centre. Learn how poison centres can help and find the phone number for your poison centre at infopoison.ca.
“The advice I’ve gotten has always been fantastic”: Brittany’s experience with a poison centre call
Video

Brittany, a mom of two from Saskatoon, shares her experience calling a poison centre after her daughter unintentionally receives a double dose of medication. Learn how poison centres can help and find the phone number for your poison centre at infopoison.ca.
“The advice I’ve gotten has always been fantastic”: Brittany’s experience with a poison centre call
Video

Brittany, a mom of two from Saskatoon, shares her experience calling a poison centre after her daughter unintentionally receives a double dose of medication. Learn how poison centres can help and find the phone number for your poison centre at infopoison.ca.
When medication can harm: How a poison centre helped a caller in distress
Video

Crissy Amiana, a Certified Specialist in Poison Information at the Ontario Poison Centre, shares her story of responding to a case of an older adult who unintentionally took the wrong medication. Learn how poison centres can help and find the phone number for your poison centre at infopoison.ca.
Medication is a common cause of poisoning: How the poison centre can help
Video

Crissy Amiana, a Certified Specialist in Poison Information at the Ontario Poison Centre, shares her story of responding to a case of an older adult who reached out when she unintentionally took the wrong medication, but it turns out the real issue was the combination of medications she was taking for herself. Learn how poison centres can help and find the phone number for your poison centre at infopoison.ca.
When cannabis gummies fall into little hands: Calling the poison centre for help
Video

Amin Rajwani, a Certified Specialist in Poison Information at the Poison and Drug Information Service in Alberta, shares a case where a child was hospitalized after eating their grandfather’s cannabis edibles. Learn how poison centres can help and find the phone number for your poison centre at infopoison.ca.

Poison prevention resources from our partners across Canada

Medication record
Link

This medication record allows you to capture details about medications currently being taken, when and for what reason.
Natural Health Products: Choosing the Right Ones for You
Link

From the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, find tips and resources for choosing the right natural health products for you.
How to help someone experiencing a poisoning (video)
Video

From the Canadian Red Cross, this video details what to do if you suspect someone has been exposed to a poison.
How to recognize and respond to opioid poisoning
Link

From the Canadian Red Cross, this article details how to recognize and respond to an opioid poisoning. Learn about signs of opioid poisoning and what to do in an opioid poisoning emergency. The page also provides downloadable educational posters.
Bud Talks: Cannabis and Older Adults
PDF

This resource for older adults outlines the risks associated with cannabis use, cannabis drug interactions as well as considerations around certain medical conditions and cannabis use.
Canadian Association for Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicology
Link

Infopoison.ca is the website for the Canadian Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicology. It provides the contact information for provincial poison centres and resources about poison prevention.
Health Canada: Is Your Child Safe?
Link

This resource has child safety information related to common products around the home, including poison prevention.
BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit: Poisoning
Link

The BCIRPU’s Poisoning webpage provides provincial statistics for British Columbia, prevention tips and resources.
Child Safety Link: Poison Prevention
Link

Child Safety Link is based out of the IWK Regional Poison Centre and its goal is to help educate Maritime communities about poisoning prevention. This Poison Prevention webpage includes prevention tips and resources.
Ontario Poison Centre
Link

Serving Ontario, Manitoba, and Nunavut, this website has information for families and health professionals, including common causes of poisoning in Ontario.
Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS), Alberta
Link

From Alberta Health Services, the webpage has information about PADIS services and answers to frequently asked questions. PADIS serves Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
“Poison Prevention…It’s in Your Hands”, Saskatchewan Prevention Institute
Link
Injury Prevention Centre: Preventing poisoning injuries
Link

The Injury Prevention Centre in Alberta provides resources for preventing poisoning, including posters on safe storage, taking medications safely and more.
Québec Poison Control Centre
Link

The Québec Poison Control Centre website has information and resources on poison prevention; basic information is provided in English and French, with extensive resources for professionals in French.
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute: Poisoning
Link

The SPI Poisoning webpage has provincial data on child poisonings and downloadable fact sheets, posters and activities.
Health Products Stewardship Association: Returning medications
Link

Find a collection location near you where you can drop off expired and unwanted medications and used medical sharps.