Alberta Blue Cross® and the Injury Prevention Centre are partnering together for National Poison Prevention Week to inform Albertans about the dangers of medication poisoning and the steps to take to prevent it from occurring.
“Many people are surprised to learn that the leading cause of poisonings in Canada is actually medications—including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and natural health products,” says Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross®.
“Canada’s poison centres get about 100 calls every day about pain medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen,” adds Dr. Kathy Belton, director of the Injury Prevention Centre. “These products and other over-the-counter medications can be dangerous for anyone—including kids, teens and adults—if they are not stored properly or used the right way.”
Prevention is the best protection against poisoning, but accidents can still happen. If you fear yourself or someone else has been poisoned, contact Canada’s toll-free number for poison centres at 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669). This number is available 24/7 and is the main contact for Albertans who suspect a poisoning.
Taking the following simple steps can help protect you and your loved ones from medication poisoning:
- To keep children safe, make sure medicines are in child-resistant packaging. Store all medications high up, such as the top of the fridge or in a high cupboard. Lock them up and keep them out of sight and reach of children. Visitors may carry medications with them, so make sure to keep their coats and bags out of children’s reach.
- Read the instructions on the medication bottle before taking the medication or giving it to someone else. The instructions give you important information to keep you safe, like how often you can take the medication and how much you can take in 24 hours. When giving medicine to a child, always follow the instructions for their age and weight.
- Know that mixing medicines can be dangerous and always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before you start a new medicine, vitamin or natural health product. If you take a medicine containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen, do not take another medicine with the same ingredient. Do not mix medicines with cannabis or alcohol.
- When you buy over-the-counter medications, choose the smaller size. Many medications come in a variety of package sizes, and you can reduce the risk of poisoning by having a smaller amount in your home.
Alberta Blue Cross® and the Injury Prevention Centre have a long-standing partnership to support the wellness of Albertans through injury prevention education, including Alberta Blue Cross® sponsoring the Injury Prevention Centre’s annual Fall Prevention campaign.
For more information on preventing medication poisoning and free, downloadable resources, visit the Injury Prevention Centre’s website.
About Alberta Blue Cross®
As the largest provider of health benefits in Alberta, we believe we have the potential and responsibility to impact people’s lives for the better. We believe all communities should thrive, and we are committed to serving as a champion for wellness by promoting the health of Albertans.
About Injury Prevention Centre
The Injury Prevention Centre has supported organizations, communities and individuals to take actions to reduce their risk of injury for over 25 years in Alberta. By focusing on preventing injuries, we save lives and keep Albertans out of emergency rooms and hospital beds. We work as connectors, providers and leaders committed to our vision of ensuring that “Albertans work and play hard, free from life-limiting injuries.”
For more information, please contact Amy Heise, communications officer, Alberta Blue Cross® at aheise@ab.bluecross.ca or Patti Stark, community mobilization coordinator, Injury Prevention Centre at pstark@ualberta.ca or 780-492-2330.
