From Opioids To Silica Gel: Interactive Online Tool Provides Immediate Advice For Poison-Related Emergencies

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) has launched a new interactive online tool, www.poisonhelp.org, to provide quick, expertly vetted answers to questions about poisoning -- the leading cause of injury-related death in America. This alarming trend of poison-related deaths and injuries – especially in children – is directly linked to the increased prevalence and use of opioids and other prescription pain relievers, coupled with emerging poisoning hazards such as marijuana edibles, liquid nicotine, and single use laundry detergent packets increasingly found in homes, nationwide.

Now more than ever, Americans need immediate access to a credible source of poisoning information and treatment advice—in a poisoning emergency, every second counts. The new tool provides critical, lifesaving poison information from any computer or smart device. The nation's 55 poison control centers, collectively known as "poison control," are staffed by specially-trained physicians, pharmacists, and nurses who are experts in toxicology, poisoning information, prevention, and treatment—many of these same experts created and vetted the new online tool. Now, free, confidential "poison control" can be easily accessed by:

• CALLING 1 (800) 222-1222, the national Poison Help hotline
• VISITING www.poisonhelp.org, AAPCC's new interactive online poison information tool; no app download necessary

Additionally, AAPCC has made it even easier to have the poison control experts at your fingertips.  TEXT "poison" to 797979, and add poison control contact information – the online tool and the hotline – to your smartphone.  AAPCC advises that this is the best way to be prepared in the event of a potential poisoning emergency.

Download the Infographic. 

Unfortunately, many people are either unaware of the availability of poison control as a life-saving service or don't have quick access to poison control contact information without taking the time to search for it online.  "With our new online tool, trusted national Poison Help hotline, and an easy way to get both saved in their smartphones, consumers have more resources than ever before to quickly and accurately respond to a poisoning," said Stephen T. Kaminski, JD, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Download PoisonHelp.org multimedia.

Web: www.aapcc.org 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAPCC 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapcc/ 

About American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)
AAPCC supports the nation's 55 poison center members in their efforts to treat and prevent drug, consumer product, animal, environmental and food poisoning. Members staff the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222 that provides free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year from toxicology specialists, including nurses, pharmacists, physicians and poison information providers. In addition, AAPCC maintains the only poison information and surveillance database in the United States, providing real-time monitoring of unusual poisoning patterns, chemical exposures and other emerging public health hazards. AAPCC partners with federal agencies such as HRSA, CDC, FDA and EPA, as well as private industry. 

SOURCE American Association of Poison Control Centers