Did you know that poisoning is the leading cause of injury-related death in the U.S.? Each year, more people die from poisoning than from gun or car accidents. In 2022, U.S. Poison Centers responded to 2,427,974 cases via the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) and website (Poisonhelp.org), receiving a new case every 15 seconds on average. Veterinary experts at WebMD Pet Health Center also estimate that there are about 232,000 cases of pet poisoning annually in the U.S. This week marks National Poison Prevention Week, a time to raise awareness and share tips on how to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your pets from accidental poisoning.
Question of the Week: What three common household items can be poisonous if not handled properly?
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Michael J Blackwell, DVM, MPH, FNAP
Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.)
Director, Program for Pet Health Equity
Center for Behavioral Health Research
https://pphe.utk.edu
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