Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is sharing new safety advice with families in Guelph, Ontario, to prepare for National Poison Prevention Week. The awareness week runs from March 15 to March 21, 2026, and focuses on keeping children safe from common household items like vitamins and natural health products.
Recent data shows that more than 5,000 people in Canada die from accidental poisoning every year. This number has now surpassed the number of people who die in vehicle accidents across the country annually.
This year, a national organization called Parachute is asking residents to rethink what they consider a poison. Health officials are encouraging parents to lock up all medications in a secure cabinet rather than just keeping them on a high shelf where children might still reach them.
Families are also encouraged to check their cupboards for expired prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. These items should be returned to a local pharmacy for safe disposal to ensure they do not accidentally end up in the hands of children.
For any emergencies involving medications or household chemicals, residents can contact the Ontario Poison Centre at 1-800-268-9017. The health unit is sharing these tips through the Upper Grand District School Board to reach roughly 35,000 local students and their caregivers before the official awareness week begins.
