North Carolina Poison Control

01/23/2026

Did you know that poison centers are a great return on investment?

In addition to the fast help we provide right at the spot of the call or chat, we're also a free service! A new study, linked below, shows that every dollar spent on poison centers generates about $17 in benefits. Thank you to our local, state, and federal funders for investing in NC Poison Control.
http://bit.ly/3NHmGqh

01/22/2026

Winter weather is headed our way. A wintry mix, freezing temperatures, and potential power outages can make for dangerous conditions both inside and outside the home, especially concerning carbon monoxide (CO).

Follow these steps when using generators, stoves, or grills and learn the signs of CO poisoning: www.NCPoisonControl.org.

Contact NC Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 with concerns about CO poisoning.

01/21/2026

If you've ever had to contact poison control, you understand the value of that phone call for yourself or your loved one. We want to share a new report that helps quantify the value of poison control on a larger scale--one that addresses the impacts poison control centers have on communities and healthcare systems.

NC Poison Control manages around 70% of cases at the site of the call or chat. This means we help reduce the burden of unnecessary healthcare utilization. In other words, we help keep people out of the ER or urgent care who don't need to be there, and we can help reduce the length of stay for those who do need hospitalization.

Take a look at the key findings from this report on the National Impact of Poison Centers: http://bit.ly/3NHmGqh

Let us know if you've seen or felt the value of poison control.

10/31/2025

Trick or treating this evening? You might see an abundance of glow sticks around. Glow stick exposures are common on Halloween when kids may bite glow sticks or if the liquid leaks onto skin, gets in the eyes, or in the mouth. We're a call away if there's a glow stick exposure: 1-800-222-1222.
https://www.ncpoisoncontrol.org/types-of-poisons/common-poisons-at-home-and-work/glow-sticks

10/24/2025

Saturday, October 25th is National Drug Take Back Day. Getting rid of unused or unwanted medication keeps families and communities safer. Visit the DEA's site to find a collection site in your area.

The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications fro...

10/21/2025

We are excited to celebrate this week and so thankful for our talented, specialized, and compassionate pharmacists at NC Poison Control. Happy Pharmacy Week!

10/01/2025

When poison center educators from seven different states team up, amazing things can happen! We were thrilled to share our collaborative research project at the NACCT conference in Chicago, which highlights how educators use data to better protect communities from poisoning.

Even though we're in different states, we're all united by one life-saving number: 📞1-800-222-1222—available 24/7, nationwide.

We're proud to be part of a network of incredible people dedicated to public health and safety.

08/26/2025

NC Poison Control can be your lifeline before, during, and after a storm. Check out these possible poisoning scenarios that storms may present--and learn how poison control can help. America's Poison Centers

An increase in venomous snake bites, medication errors and carbon monoxide poisoning after storms like Hurricane Erin can lead to illness or even death, a North Carolina Poison Control expert warns.

08/25/2025

To wrap up our series on storm-related poisonings, we can’t forget food poisoning! Food poisoning can happen after a storm when food isn’t kept at proper temperatures. Common symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. You can avoid food poisoning by…

• keeping freezer and refrigerator doors closed. A full freezer usually keeps food cold for about 48 hours. Refrigerators will keep food cold for about 4 hours.
• placing a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer to monitor temperatures. If the temperature is 40 degrees or higher, throw food out.
• having food on hand that does not need to be refrigerated.

A good rule of thumb is, when in doubt, throw it out.

If you suspect food poisoning, contact NC Poison Control by phone or chat: 1-800-222-1222 or www.NCPoisonControl.org.

08/18/2025

Snakes aren’t always the first hazard we think of in a storm, but it’s helpful to know that snakes will be displaced when storm-related flooding happens. You can help prevent a snake bite by…

• watching where you step when flooding has occurred, even in areas that are not under water.
• carrying a flashlight at night and at dusk.
• not trying to pick up or kill a snake. It may bite you in the process.

Many people are unaware NC Poison Control provides treatment recommendations for snake bites to you AND your healthcare provider. If someone is bitten by a snake, stay calm, and call NC Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for next steps.

08/11/2025

Storm Preparedness Tip 2: Avoid a medication poisoning. Medications you depend on can be misplaced or mixed-up in the chaos of a storm. Think now about how you’ll store and transport your medicines during a storm:

• Keep medicine in its original bottles. Don’t mix loose medication in a plastic bag or other container.
• Store medicine, in original bottles, in a water-safe container if flooding is a risk.
• Know all the daily medicines you have and how much of each are on hand in case you have to evacuate quickly.

We’re here day or night if a medicine mishap occurs: 1-800-222-1222 or chat with us at www.NCPoisonControl.org.

08/04/2025

This hurricane season, we’re highlighting the dangers of poisoning during a storm. Take note of these tips BEFORE a storm hits. When power outages occur during a hurricane, people can be at risk for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if appliances like generators, grills, and stoves are used improperly.

• Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet from your home, doors, and windows.
• NEVER use a gas stove, camp stove, or charcoal grill inside your home for any reason. This includes the garage.
• Make sure you have a CO detector, with battery backup, near every sleeping area of your home. Visit www.PoisonShop.org to order one for free.

Call NC Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you suspect CO poisoning.