• Blog
  • Maryland Poison Center
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
eAntidote
Blog of the Maryland Poison Center
  • Blog
  • Maryland Poison Center
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
Home  /  Poison Prevention Press • Poison Safety  /  Poison Safety Tips While Traveling
17 November 2022

Poison Safety Tips While Traveling

Emily Food Safety, Medicine, Risk Factors, Safe Storage, Traveling Leave a Comment
Child reaching into an open suitcase on the bed that contains medicines

Poisonings don’t take a vacation. They happen 365 days a year. If you’re traveling to visit family, friends, or going on a trip, poisonings can still happen, and in fact they might even be more likely. Let’s learn about how to stay safe while away.

 

Anywhere, Anytime

Anywhere in the United States and US Territories, you can reach a certified poison center by calling 1-800-222-1222. There are 55 poison centers across the country that have poison experts available 24/7/365. Yes, even on holidays!

Program our number in your phone, you never know when or where you’ll be when you need it! Encourage your friends and family to program the number as well.

Increased Risk

When traveling, you are at an increased risk of a poisoning. Daily routines are interrupted and you’re in different environments. When you are visiting places that aren’t your usual environment, medicines, cleaners, and other potential poisons may not be stored in the way you and your family are used to. Items you store up, away, and out of sight may be stored in plain sight and be easily accessible.

Although trips are times to relax, ensure children are always supervised. Poisonings happen quickly, so it’s important to have at least one adult supervising children. Children may be more interested in exploring a space they aren’t used to.

Safe Storage

It’s important to continue safe storage practices when traveling. Medicines, personal care products, and cleaning products should be stored up, away, and out of sight. If you are traveling, ensure you store medicines and other potential poisons in a cabinet, or ensure your suitcase is securely closed. If you are hosting, offer your guests a safe place to store their items that is up, away, and out of sight.

If you are visiting somewhere, it is good practice to scope out the location and move potential poisons to a safe storage place before allowing children and pets to roam the area.

Medicines

It is best to pack medicines in their original, labeled packages. Never pack loose pills in a plastic baggie. Children associate plastic baggies with treats and may ingest what is in the baggie. Adults may forget what medicines they put in the baggie and take the wrong dose or wrong medicine. The original labeled packages include dosing and other important information that should be read when taking medicines. Although using pill minders and other travel-friendly pill containers are convenient, they can be dangerous if children, pets, and others get into the products if they are not stored safely.

Food Safety

If your travels are only for the day and you are taking food, it is important to remember safe food storage practices. Be sure to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Cold foods can be kept in a cooler or ice bath, and hot foods can be kept in an insulated container or bag. Always remember, food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours! After two hours, the chances of getting food poisoning increases.

 

From all of us at the Maryland Poison Center, we wish you a safe and healthy holiday season. But as always, our poison experts are available 24/7/365 at 1-800-222-1222.

About Author

Emily

Emily is responsible for public education and communications at the MPC. This includes going out in the community, and curating the content on MPC’s social media pages, including, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and this blog! Emily loves working with people of all ages, and as a Maryland native, wants to reach out to all Marylanders with our poison safety messages.

Previous Article Don’t be Spooked by these Halloween Hazards
Next Article Meet Our Experts: Rama

Related Posts

  • Cleaning products in and around a cleaning bucket

    Spring Cleaning

  • Young girl outside in the snow holding a pile of snow

    Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Three

  • Happy senior couple looking through window at home.

    Poison Help for Older Adults

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Tags

About Us Adults Alcohol Antifreeze Button Batteries Cannabis Carbon Monoxide child-resistant packaging Children Cigarettes Cleaning Products E-cigarettes Food Poisoning Grandparents Hand Sanitizer Historic Poisonings Holiday Safety Home Laundry Pods Medicine Medicine Disposal Medicine Safety Nicotine Nurse Older Adults Over-the Counter Parents Personal Care Products Pharmacist Plants Poison Expert Poison Exposures Poison Myths Poison Safety Pre-Teens Safe Storage Seasonal Specialist in Poison Information Supplements Swimming Pools Teens Toxicology Fellowship Toy Safety Traveling Vaping

Join Our Mailing List!

Stay up to date on trending poison topics by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

Recent Posts

  • Cleaning products in and around a cleaning bucket
    Spring Cleaning April 24, 2025
  • Young girl outside in the snow holding a pile of snow
    Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Three February 28, 2025
  • Happy senior couple looking through window at home.
    Poison Help for Older Adults January 29, 2025
  • Lighted background with present wrapped in blue bow with decorative pine and white berries
    A Wrapped Gift – Holiday Poison Safety December 16, 2024

Social Media

Comment Policy

We welcome your comments. Please note that this is a moderated blog. All comments will be reviewed before they are posted, which will result in a delay in the posting of comments. Please leave comments that are respectful and useful. Malicious, anonymous, and promotional comments will not be posted. We reserve the right to remove comments from the site at any time.

For more information, please review the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Social Media Code of Ethics. 

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact us.

Instagram

View on Instagram

Maryland Poison Center (@mdpoisoncenter) Instagram photos and videos

Recent Posts

  • Cleaning products in and around a cleaning bucket
    Spring Cleaning April 24, 2025
  • Young girl outside in the snow holding a pile of snow
    Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Three February 28, 2025
  • Happy senior couple looking through window at home.
    Poison Help for Older Adults January 29, 2025
  • Lighted background with present wrapped in blue bow with decorative pine and white berries
    A Wrapped Gift – Holiday Poison Safety December 16, 2024
© Copyright 2014 Maryland Poison Center. Theme by BloomPixel. | Privacy