In 2017, the Maryland Poison Center (MPC) responded to roughly 32,000 calls about exposures in people. Learn about the top three exposures for every age group based on the calls we received.
Poison Safety Archive
Back to School Poison Safety for All Ages
Tips and advice to help your family have a safe, healthy, and happy start to the new school year.
Making the Right Call
Knowing who to call is the critical first step in helping someone in need of assistance. This post will give you tips to help you make the right call.
Take Steps to Make Your Home Poison-Safe
June is National Healthy Homes Month. Learn what you can do to help protect your family against some common household hazards.
Electronic Cigarettes and Nicotine
Electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes) are popular among adults and teens alike. Learn how to protect your children and teens from the dangers that these products pose.
Don’t Always Trust What You Read on the Internet
The best way to find out what to do if you think a poisoning or overdose has happened, only takes 10 key strokes. Dial 800-222-1222. You will speak directly with a poison expert.
Top 3 Poisons of 2017: Young Children
Young children made up 40% of calls to the Maryland Poison Center in 2017. Learn more about the top three substances that had their parents and caregivers rushing to the phones.
Poison Myths Busted: Swallowed Something? Throw It Up!
There’s a saying that what goes up, must come down. When it comes to poisons, many people think that what goes down must come up. But that is not true! Learn how forcing someone to throw up can actually be more dangerous than leaving a substance in the stomach.
Are essential oils dangerous?
Essential oils are concentrated liquids that contain the fragrance (scent) of a plant. They are often removed from the plant and added to soaps, perfumes, air fresheners, and cleaning products. They are also used as flavorings in food and drinks.
The laundry pod challenge: why are teens doing it?
Poison centers in the US started receiving calls about exposures to single load laundry packets, more commonly known as laundry pods, in 2012. These exposures were most common in kids 5 and under. Since 2015, the number of exposures reported