Alabama Poison Information Center Marks National Poison Prevention Week

Birmingham, Ala. (March 15, 2026) — National Poison Prevention Week begins Sunday, March 15, a week dedicated to raising awareness about poisoning, prevention, and the free Poison Help Line. This year’s theme is “When the unexpected happens, poison help is here for you 24/7.”

The Alabama Poison Information Center (APIC) at Children’s of Alabama has provided life-saving information to the community since 1958. It was the 14th center established in the United States. The center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with nurses and pharmacists specializing in poison information. It is a fully accredited poison center by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. It serves the entire state of Alabama as the only accredited statewide center designated by the Alabama Department of Public Health. In 2025, the APIC handled more than 110,000 calls.

“National Poison Prevention Week highlights the daily work we do to serve our communities and other healthcare professionals,” said Jessica Pescatore, clinical director at the Alabama Poison Information Center. “A poisoning can happen so quickly and can change someone’s life in a split second. We want families to know that when every second counts, we are here to help them. They don’t have to waste valuable time searching for an answer. All they have to do is pick up the phone and call us.”

APIC is here to help regardless of the potential hazard. The number to call is 1-800-222-1222. You can also download the APIC’s free app, Poison Perils of Alabama. It can help you identify potentially dangerous plants, snakes, insects, and common household items.