The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has
released a new online tool to raise awareness of ways to prevent
poisonings across the United States. HRSA Administrator Mary K.
Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., unveiled the Poison Prevention Week
Planner (PDF - 23 pages) on March 17 at the National Press Club
in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with National Poison
Prevention Week, March 15-21. The downloadable planner features
useful information on how communities can work with local poison
centers to implement prevention activities. The planner also
gives tips for promoting events with media and through community
outreach. “This practical planner puts valuable poison
prevention resources in the hands of people in communities
across America,” Dr. Wakefield noted. “This is especially
helpful in reaching residents of isolated areas that lack quick
access to emergency care.” Each year, the nation's 61 poison
centers field calls on more than 2 million possible poisonings;
93 percent of poisonings occur in the