Washington Poison Center

12/23/2025

Many medicines look (& even taste or smell) just like candy 🍬 Kids with a sweet tooth may not know the difference, or may not be able to resist the temptation 👀 Always store medicines out of sight & reach of kids 🔒 Even better, lock medicines up!

12/23/2025

⚡ Button batteries are small but pose a BIG health risk if swallowed! 🚨 We put a button battery in an egg white to show the burns that can happen if a battery gets stuck in the throat or intestines 👀 Keep a close eye on kids & pets around toys, light up or musical cards, & other devices with button batteries. Call us immediately if one is swallowed: 1-800-222-1222

12/22/2025

Twas the holiday season, and somewhere in Washington
Mr. Yuk gathered tips for practicing caution ✨

For the holidays are filled with toxins galore,
Button batteries, plants, snow globes, and more... 🎄

From cocktails in reach, to food left out of the fridge,
Oftentimes being poisoned only takes a smidge 🫢

The holidays are for celebrating, not for getting sick,
so watch for Mr. Yuk's tips and avoid a poison trick! 🎁

12/21/2025

Need some Sunday reading? Check our our latest newsletter! 📰
In this issue: Meet Mr. Yuk and expert staff, spark creativity in your kids, get winter health & safety tips, learn some surprising facts about our cost-savings, plan for upcoming events, and more!

Read the newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/wapc.org/tox-talk-winter25

Subscribe to the list: https://www.wapc.org/contact/

And, in case you're wondering, we're here through all the holidays - and every day, 24/7/365!
☎️ Call 1-800-222-1222 for

12/20/2025

🎁 Keep your holidays merry, bright, and healthy by preventing poisoning from these top holiday hazards! Check out the tips: https://www.wapc.org/insights/top-holiday-hazards/

If you need us, we're here 24/7/365, including holidays, for poisonings, accidental ingestions, overdoses, and any other toxic exposures. Questions, too!

Wishing you peace and safety this season! ❄️

12/19/2025

12/18/2025

🚨 HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS: Nitrous oxide abuse is increasing in Washington. A growing concern is venous thromboembolism (including DVTs, pulmonary embolism, and cerebral vein thrombosis), even in teens and new users who lack other risk factors.
👉 Learn more about this and how nitrous oxide causes functional B12 deficiency: https://www.wapc.org/insights/nitrous-oxide-whip-it-abuse/
📱 If you’re treating a patient with complications from nitrous oxide, call us at 1-800-222-1222 for evaluation and management guidance!

12/18/2025

Thanks to The Seattle Times for including this important article + our phone number in today's Morning Brief! Help us share these tips (in 9 languages!) on preventing carbon monoxide poisoning during power outages. Stay safe, Washington!

To avoid deadly carbon-monoxide poisoning during a power outage, follow these important tips. Use the multi-language page to help your neighbors.

12/17/2025

Call us with any safety questions about cleaning as well as handling contaminated food, water, and medicines: 1-800-222-1222

12/17/2025

Did you lose power?⚠️NEVER run your car in the garage, even if the door is open! 🛑 Carbon monoxide-- a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas-- can build up quickly & have serious (even deadly) consequences 🚗 If you need to warm up or charge devices, park your car outside

12/17/2025

⚠️ STORM ALERT TONIGHT ⚠️ Power outages are possible across Washington. If you're preparing to use a generator, remember:
🔌 Keep them at least 20 FEET away from your home
🚫 Never use them indoors, in garages, or near windows or doors
⚠️ Generator exhaust produces carbon monoxide (a deadly gas you can’t see or smell)... this is the most common source of carbon monoxide poisoning that we hear about
📱 Call us for any questions or help treating power outage poisonings: 1-800-222-1222

12/16/2025

Calling all K - 12th grade artists! 🎨 We've opened up our 20th annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest with Seattle Children's. Pick a poison, learn about it, and create a poster that shows people how to stay safe around it 😎 Learn more: