National Poison Prevention Week aims to draw attention to the causes of poisoning and how to prevent them from occurring. This guide is to help communities and partners use social media to support and promote National Poison Prevention Week 2025! 

Throughout the month of March, including Poison Prevention Week, March 16 to 22, 2025, Parachute will be active on all our social media platforms promoting poison prevention information and sharing safety tips. 

X: @parachutecanada
Bluesky: @parachutecanada.bsky.social
Facebook: www.facebook.com/parachutecanada
Instagram: www.instagram.com/parachutecanada
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/parachute—leaders-in-injury-prevention 

Use hashtags! 

Use hashtags in all social media channels to gain momentum and build a community of support leading up to and during Poison Prevention Week, March 16 to March 22, 2025. 

Primary Hashtag: #CheckForPoisons
Secondary Hashtag: #NPPW2025

You can also create your own hashtags, but we urge you to use #CheckForPoisons and #NPPW2025 in all posts. 

Sample tweets/social media posts 

Below are sample posts you can use as tweets or as posts on other social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, LinkedIn, Bluesky). You are also welcome and encouraged to come up with your own tweets and messages that make sense for your organization and your community! 

Please note that posts on X can only be 280 characters in length (including links); for Bluesky, it’s 300 characters. In addition to posting Poison Prevention Week materials, you can also share references to your related materials and website at your organization. We have images we encourage you to use at parachute.ca/ppwimages. Please note: if you are planning to use paid advertisements, imagery with cannabis or cannabis edibles may be flagged and/or removed by certain platforms.

Before the start of Poison Prevention Week 

  • Poison Prevention Week runs from March 16 to March 22, 2025. Learn what common products can be harmful and how you can prevent poisoning: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • We’re getting ready for Poison Prevention Week, March 16 to 22. Find useful resources and learn how you can get involved: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • This Poison Prevention Week, we’re encouraging you to #CheckForPoisons in and around your home and prevent poisoning before it happens. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #NPPW2025

During Poison Prevention Week (March 16 to 22, 2025) 

General poison prevention and awareness 

  • It’s #NPPW2025! Learn how to store potential poisons safely and prevent poisoning:parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons
  • There are many items in and around your home that can cause poisoning. Recognize and identify potential poisons: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Store poisonous products high, locked and out of sight. Put medications, cannabis and other products away after every use. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Keep products in their original, child-resistant packaging. Child-resistant packaging has been shown to reduce poisoning injuries and deaths. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Keep medications, cleaners and other products in their original, labelled packaging to ensure you have instructions for use, avoid mix-ups and have information about the contents should you need to call a poison centre. parachute.ca/#CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Keep visitors’ purses or bags out of children’s reach.Visitors may have potentially poisonous products with them, such as medication, vitamins, cosmetics or cannabis products. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Household cleaners can have appealing fragrances, be brightly coloured and appealing to children. As well, when mixed, household cleaners can produce dangerous chemicals. Learn more atparachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Avoid mixing different cleaning products together. Mixing can cause chemical reactions that produce dangerous gases. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025 
  • Colourful, transparent laundry detergent pods may look like candies or toys to children. Laundry detergent pods can harm a child if ingested, or if the liquid gets into their eyes. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek  #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025 
  • Even dead button batteries can pose a health risk if swallowed or inserted into the body. Store all batteries (live or dead) up high and locked away. Learn more: parachute.ca/around-the-house #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025 
  • Button batteries can cause serious injury if swallowed. Limit the number of products in your home that use button batteries and ensure battery compartments are secure and child-resistent. parachute.ca/around-the-house #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025 
  • Go to the emergency room right away if you think your child has swallowed a button battery. On the way, give the child 2 tsp of honey every 10 mins (up to 6 doses). Honey coats the battery and may help reduce the risk of injury. parachute.ca/around-the-house #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025 
  • Some indoor plants can be toxic if ingested. Leave the name tag on each plant in the home. #CheckForPoisons parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #NPPW2025 
  • Don’t assume that a plant is safe for humans to eat because birds or wildlife eat it. Teach children to never put berries, seeds, flowers, nuts or leaves in their mouth without checking with an adult first. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Never eat wild mushrooms. Check outdoor areas frequently for mushrooms before children go outdoors to play and remove all mushrooms growing outdoors near your home. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025

Medication safety 

  • Medications are the leading cause of poisoning in Canada. Prescription and over-the-counter medications and natural health products can cause poisoning if taken by mistake or used incorrectly. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Medications that relieve pain, known as analgesics, are the No. 1 substance Canada’s poison centres receive calls about. Learn more: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Always read the label and check the dosage each time you give or take medicine, including over-the-counter and prescription medications as well as natural health products. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Take unused or expired medications to the pharmacy for proper disposal. Keeping extra medication in the home is an unnecessary poisoning risk. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Your pharmacist is there to help. Talk to your pharmacist about how to use medications and natural health products safely. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Just because it’s a “natural” health product doesn’t mean there are no risks. Natural health products can cause side effects, trigger allergic reactions or interact with other medications. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025

Cannabis and cannabis edibles 

  • Ingesting cannabis is the most common cause of cannabis poisoning in children. Cannabis edibles can have a stronger effect on the body than other forms of cannabis. https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/poisoning/cannabis/ #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Cannabis edibles often resemble common snacks (e.g., brownies, gummy candies). A young child may be unable to tell the difference. Learn more at https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/poisoning/cannabis/#CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Children can have significant effects from cannabis edibles such as drowsiness, coma, agitation and difficulty breathing. Keep your kids safe! https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/poisoning/cannabis/#CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Avoid using cannabis products and e-cigarettes in front of children. Children often want to do the same things their parents and caregivers do. #CheckForPoisons https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/poisoning/cannabis/ #NPPW2025 

Carbon monoxide

  • Without a carbon monoxide alarm, you can’t detect poisonous CO gas. Install carbon monoxide alarms on every floor of your home and outside sleeping areas. https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/poisoning/carbonmonoxide/ #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Replace carbon monoxide alarm batteries at least once a year. https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/poisoning/carbonmonoxide/ #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Carbon monoxide alarms wear out! Sensors weaken and become obstructed over time. Replace the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/poisoning/carbonmonoxide/ #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025

Responding to a poisoning and relevant resources

  • Having an action plan in place can help you and your family respond quickly in the event of a poisoning. Only 18% of Canadians report knowing about local poison resources. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Keep the number of your poison centre nearby or in your phone. Program the number into your phone’s contact list or keep it in a visible location, such as on your fridge. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Canada has a toll-free 24/7 number for poison centres. If you suspect a poisoning, call 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669).  In Québec, call 1-800-454-1212. In Nunavut, contact your local health centre. https://infopoison.ca #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • In the event someone is potentially poisoned, contact the poison centre. If the person loses consciousness, has difficulty breathing or is having a seizure, call 911. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. In Québec, call 1-866-APPELLE. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • The Hope for Wellness Help Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention or referrals to community-based services. https://www.hopeforwellness.ca #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025

Reporting avenues 

  • Help create a safer Canada! Report your experience with or concerns about a product to Health Canada to help identify risks to people’s health and safety: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/report-incident/consumers.html. #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Play a vital role in reducing medication incidents by reporting them (e.g., receiving the wrong medication, dose, or route of administration): www.mederror.ca. #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025
  • Health professionals are encouraged to report adverse reactions to medications and concerns about products: https://bit.ly/practitionerreport. Reporting is a critical part of the process to improve health product safety for all people in Canada. #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025

After Poison Prevention Week 

  • Poison Prevention Week has wrapped up, but #CANInjuryPrevention is important all year long! Visit @parachutecanada for info & tips: parachute.ca #CheckForPoisons #NPPW2025

Ask our advice 

If you have any questions or need some guidance, please feel free to contact Parachute’s social media team at socialmedia@parachute.ca

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