Health Canada is helping to save lives during National Poison Prevention Week.
A new toll-free number, 1-844-POISON-X, has been launched to connect Canadians to one of four poison centres where they can get medical advice.
Currently, nine different phone numbers are used to access five poison centres in the country. Many Canadians don’t know the number of even that the service is available.
With this new number, Canadians will be rerouted to their local poison centre.
Health Canada says it will also help reduce unnecessary visits to hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices.
Each year in Canada, over 1,500 people lose their lives and nearly 8,000 are hospitalized due to unintentional poisoning from medications, cleaners, cannabis products, and many other household items.
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