What is Poison Prevention Week?

• It is a time intended as a means for the nation and local poison centers, pharmacies, public health departments, and local communities to raise awareness of the dangers of unintentional poisonings, especially among children under age 5 and people of all ages.
• More than 90 percent of poisonings occur in the home. The majority of non-fatal poisonings occur in children younger than six years old. And, poisonings are one of the leading causes of death among adults.
• The U.S. Congress established National Poison Prevention Week on September 16, 1961 (P.L. 87-319). Shortly thereafter, the Poison Prevention Week Council was organized to coordinate this annual event and promote poison prevention.
• National Poison Prevention Week, the third week in March each year, is a week nationally designated to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them.
• Based on the above information, PCDIU participated this year for the first time in activities related to preventing poisoning in the Palestinian community.