Poison Prevention Week 2026 banner

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 2026! 

Throughout the month of March, including Poison Prevention Week, March 15 to 21, 2026, Parachute will be active on all our social media platforms promoting poison prevention information and sharing safety tips. 

X: @parachutecanada
Bluesky: @parachute.ca
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 15 to 21, 2026. 

Primary Hashtag: #RethinkPoisons
Secondary Hashtag: #NPPW2026
You can also create your own hashtags, but we urge you to use #RethinkPoisons and #NPPW2026 in all posts. 

Sample social media posts 

Below are sample posts you can use on your social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, LinkedIn, Bluesky, etc). You are also welcome and encouraged to come up with your own 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 National Poison Prevention Week 

  • National Poison Prevention Week runs from March 15 to March 21, 2026. Learn how safe medication use saves lives: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • We’re getting ready for National Poison Prevention Week, March 15 to 21. Find useful resources and learn how you can get involved: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • This Poison Prevention Week, we’re encouraging you to #RethinkPoisons in and around your home and prevent medication-related poisoning before it happens. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #NPPW2026

During National Poison Prevention Week (March 15 to 21, 2026) 

Medication-related poisoning and awareness 

  • It’s #NPPW2026! Learn how to give, take and store medications safely:parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons 
  • Medications are the No.1 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 #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • It’s easy to find over-the-counter medications and natural health products in stores, online and at home. However, just because they’re easily accessible, doesn’t mean they’re risk-free. Medications can help when used safely. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Medications that relieve pain, known as analgesics, are the No. 1 substance people call Canada’s poison centres about. These products are safe but only when you use them in the right ways. Learn more: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Each year, poison centres in Canada receive about 100 calls a day about pain medications. These products can help if used safely. Learn more: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Over-the-counter medications are those you can buy without a prescription from a doctor. Examples are some pain medication (e.g., acetaminophen) and cough syrup. These medications can help when used safely. Learn how: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Natural health products are products made from plants, minerals or other natural things. Vitamins and traditional medicines are examples. These products are safe for most people when used in the right ways. Learn more: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Each year, poison centres in Canada receive more than 10,000 calls about vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Natural health products can help if used and stored safely. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • There are many items in and around your home that can cause poisoning if they aren’t used safely, including medications and natural health products. #RethinkPoisons: parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek  #NPPW2026

Giving and taking medication safety 

  • 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 #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Medications do not work better by taking more than the recommended dose. They work best when you take the correct dose. Read and follow the dosage every time. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Mixing medications and other substances, such as cannabis or alcohol, can be dangerous. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Many over-the-counter products have acetaminophen along with other ingredients. Always check labels before use, pay attention to the daily max dose and do not use more than one product with acetaminophen in it at a time. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • 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 #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Your pharmacist is there to help. Talk to your pharmacist about how to use over-the-counter and prescription medications and natural health products safely. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026

Medication safe storage

  • Store over-the-counter and natural health products safely away after every use, just like prescriptions. Store them up high, locked and out of sight. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Safe storage saves lives. Storing medications and other poisonous products safely away after every use keeps your household safe. Safe storage = up high, locked and out of sight. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • When picking up medications or natural health products, opt for child-resistant packaging and buy smaller packaging sizes. Having less medication at home can help prevent misuse and abuse. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Keep medications and natural health products in their original, child-resistant packaging. Child-resistant packaging has been shown to reduce poisoning injuries and deaths. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Keep medications and natural health 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/ #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Keep visitors’ purses or bags out of children’s reach.Visitors may have potentially poisonous products with them, such as medications, vitamins or supplements. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • 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 #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026

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 #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Program the number for your poison centre into your phone’s contact list or keep it in a visible location, such as on your fridge. parachute.ca/poisonpreventionweek #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • 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 #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Not sure if you took the right dose of an OTC medication? Worried the new supplement you just took might affect your prescription medication? Whether you have questions or need help, the poison centre is a call away: https://infopoison.ca #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • 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 #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • 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. #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • 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 #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026

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. #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • Play a vital role in reducing medication incidents (e.g., receiving the wrong medication, dose, or route of administration) by reporting them: www.mederror.ca. #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026
  • 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. #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026

After National Poison Prevention Week 

  • National Poison Prevention Week has wrapped up, but #CANInjuryPrevention is important all year long! Visit @parachutecanada for info & tips: parachute.ca #RethinkPoisons #NPPW2026

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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