Doctors champion poison prevention at home | Events

As part of the 50th Annual National Poison Prevention Week, the Alabama Poison Center at Shelton State wants to raise the public’s awareness of household products that can be dangerous.

Dr. John Fisher of the Tuscaloosa center said 90 percent of poison exposure happens in the home. He said it’s most important for people to know that they should not put toxic materials into empty food containers.

“These have been responsible for some of the worst intoxications we’ve had and some of the fatalities too,” Fisher said.

Last year, more than 10,000 calls came into the Poison Control Center, and children younger than six account for more than half the calls into the Alabama Poison Control Center.