Poison Prevention
From 2017 to 2020, Cook Children's treated almost 2,500 unintentional poison injuries.1 In our eight-county service area, 1 in 4 young children lives in a home with medication or household cleaners that are not always safely stored away.2
If you have questions about potential poisons, medication dosage, or a poison emergency call the North Texas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 The North Texas Poison Center is open 24/7 and the call is free. Calls are answered by doctors, nurses and pharmacists. Call 9-1-1 if your child won't wake up, is having trouble breathing or is having seizures.
Fentanyl Can Hide- Spanish Video
Create a safe habit and be prepared in case of an emergency, enter 1-800-222-1222 into your cell phone today.
Facts
Poisons effect a wide range of ages and 70% of the poisonings treated at Cook Children's are medication related, while many others are due to common household products.
- Infants are often incorrectly dosed with medications, either from being given the wrong amount or wrong type of medicine.
- Toddlers learn by exploring and putting things into their hands and mouth. They cannot read labels and often mistake poisons for candy or juice.
- School-age children who are becoming more independent may make a mistake when taking daily medications without caregiver supervision.
- Teens are often exposed to social media and peer pressure. They risk doing unsafe challenges or taking a medication that was not prescribed to them.
- Always follow directions when giving medicine to your child.
- Create safe habits by having reoccurring reminders. Consider creating cell phones alerts or using medication schedules for dosing times.
- Double dosing is NOT twice as effective, and in many instances can cause internal damage.
- Adult medications may be too strong for children and should not be given in half doses. Only give medicine to your child that is intended for children.
- Read the warnings and follow package or physician directions.
- Many people leave medications on bathroom and kitchen counters as well as bedroom nightstand as a visual reminder to take them. Avoid unintentional injury and store medication up high, locked and out of reach.
- Keep medication in the original container to avoid confusion or poisonings.
- Hang purses and personal bags up high, so children are unable to reach prescriptions, vitamins, or other routinely used medications.
- Remember when visiting friends and family it is ok to have an open discussion about safe storage.
It is important to properly dispose of your unused and expired medications because:
- It is dangerous to use medication that are expired or prescribed for someone else.
- It can reduce access of potentially harmful medication.
- It can help prevent drug use that may lead to lifelong struggles with substance abuse.
- It helps protect our environment.
Household disposal
- If you do not have a drug take back location near you, check the FDA's flush list. Visit hereto check if your medication is on the flush list. Remember, do NOT flush medications not on this list.
- If your medication is not on the flush list you can follow these simple steps.
- Mix medicines (liquid or uncrushed pills) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds.
- Place the mixture in a container, such as a sealed plastic bag.
- Throw away the container in the trash.
- Remove all personal information on the prescription label and packaging. Then trash and/or recycle the empty bottle and label.
- Medication syringes should be disposed of in a sharps container, or if unavailable, placed inside a thick plastic container (detergent bottle) and sealed.
Medication safety
To a child, the colors and shapes of medicine may look like candy or juice. The wrong medicine or the wrong amounts of medicine can cause severe injury to a child's small body. It is important to store prescription drugs, over-the-counter pain medicine and vitamins up high, in a locked or child-proofed cabinet. Medication safety starts with prevention and includes safe dosing, safe storage and safe disposal.
Download a medication schedule to help ensure your child takes their medicine exactly as directed.
Did you know? Opioids are strong pain medicines that are highly addictive. These drugs are used both legally and illegally, such as oxycodone, morphine, heroin and fentanyl. Fentanyl, is a drug that is showing up more each year and only takes a very small amount to cause an accidental overdose. In case of emergency, keep naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose, nearby and as a part of your first aid kit. Ask your pharmacist for more information.
To request and learn more about naloxone visit naloxonetexas.com.
Household poisonings
Safe proof your home in advance and avoid potential danger zones. Take a tour of each room, inside and out, and look for the dangers we've outlined below. Consider what a child can see and reach at their height. The little time it takes to do this can help prevent accidental poisonings.
For young children who are not yet reading and like to explore, poisonous products may look like food, drinks, and candy.
- Clothes detergents/pods are often swallowed because they are colorful and soft to the touch. Be sure to keep containers sealed and out of reach.
- Nicotine and vaping liquids tend to have enticing flavors and smells that are attractive to children. Hang purses and personal bags up high, so children are unable to grab cigarettes, vaping liquids, and other routinely used products.
- Floor cleaners and other cleaning liquids often look and smell like fruit juices and other common drinks. Designate specific cabinets to store cleaning supplies that can be locked and out of a child's reach.
- Some plants may be poisonous to young, exploring children, as well as to animals. Visit https://www.poison.org/articles/plant for a list of poisonous plants.
- Lawn chemicals, pesticides, and car cleaners should be kept in their original containers with labels so they are not mistaken for common drinks.
- Toys that are meant for kids often have hidden dangers, such as button batteries or small items that are choking hazards. Be sure to read labels, follow manufacturer's age recommendations and ensure any battery covers are kept intact.
Safe and Sound Pain Management
Cook Children's Opioid Stewardship Committee led by Dr. Artee Gandhi, strives to reduce the risk of harm from addiction, ingestion, misuse, overdose, and death through best practices and education on the safe and sound practice of pain management. Ultimately, the goal is to build a framework for pain management that fulfills our Promise.
Opiate/ opioids: pain med given by a doctor; some opiates are not legal
Other names: OxyContin, Percocet (oxycodone & acetaminophen), Vicodin (hydrocodone & acetaminophen), Codeine, Dilaudid, Morphine, Tramadol, Fentanyl, Heroin
Stimulant: a material that speeds up activity between the brain and body; makes a person feel more awake or alert
Other names: Ritalin, Adderall, caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, uppers
Sedative: medicine often given for feelings of worry, dread, stress, or panic attacks given by a doctor
Other names: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, benzos, bars, downers, Zannies
Inhalant: chemicals that are breathed in to give the user a fast rush or high; items include glue, hair spray, spray paint
Other names: whippets, poppers, snappers, bullet
Synthetic marijuana: human-made chemicals that are sprayed onto dried plant material so they can be smoked in e-cigarettes, pipes, or bongs to get high; misled as a safe, legal substitute to marijuana
Other names: Spice, K2, herbal incense
THC: part of the hemp plant that causes the feelings of using marijuana; legal in some states for medical or non-medical use
How it's used: lotions, oil, vapor, edibles, capsules, e-cigarette liquid
CBD: a part of the hemp plant that cannot get someone “high”; legally sold in some states for medical or non-medical use
How it's used: lotions, oil, vapor, edibles, capsules, e-cigarette liquid
Vaping: to breathe in vapor created by electronic cigarettes; vapor contains chemicals for flavoring and nicotine that can be addicting like regular tobacco
E-Cigarette: battery operated electronic cigarette that heats up a special liquid into vapor that can be breathed in; the liquid known as “e-juice” contains nicotine and chemicals for flavoring
Other names: Juul, NJOY, Puff bar, blu, Suorin
Help us protect kids from accidental poisoning. Please feel free to use our messaging below or create your own. Be sure to use #poisonprevention when you hashtag your post.
Do you know which one is candy? Kids don't either.
To kids, pills may not look harmful because they may be the same color and shape as candy. It is important to store all types of medication locked up and out of a child's reach. Practice safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal. #poisonprevention
Be sure to lock up your medications.
Kids are curious and often learn by putting things in their mouths. Help them learn what is okay to touch and keep medication and cleaning products locked up and out of reach. Practice safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal. #poisonprevention
Read the label to make sure you're giving your child the proper dosage.
It is critical to follow directions when giving medicine to your child. Double dosing is not twice as effective, and may be toxic for a child's body. Practice safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal. #poisonprevention
Adults may know this is a cleaning product. Does a child see something different?
Kids are attracted to bright colors. Young children who cannot read may see colorful labels or liquids and think it's juice when really it's a household cleaner. Even simple laundry pods can be dangerous. The pods are soft and colorful but have harmful residue if absorbed in their mouths, noses, or ears. Practice safe storage, safe dosing and safe disposal. #poisonprevention
More than 60% of poisonings seen at Cook Children's are medication related.
Little kids are curious and still figuring things. Make sure their curiosity doesn't get the best of them (and you) and remember to put all medications in a locked box in an out-of-reach, safe area. #poisonprevention
Deaths by accidental poisonings have doubled since the 1990s.
Take the time to tour your house and make sure that medications, pill boxes, household cleaners, and even product such as mouthwash and soap are out of reach from your little one's hands. #poisonprevention
Is your home a danger zone?
Take a tour of your home inside and out and look for easy access to medication, pill boxes, household cleaners, and even products such as mouthwash and soap. The little time it takes to do this can help prevent a lifetime of tragedy as the result of a poisoning accident. #poisonprevention
Do you know how to dispose of your medication?
If you have unused or expired medications in your home, it's important to remove them. However, don't just throw them away or flush them down the sink or toilet. Instead, they need to be properly disposed of at designated drop off locations. #poisonprevention
Community drop box
The best disposal option is to find a drug take back location which may be found in retail, hospital, pharmacies, and/or law enforcement facilities.
Accepted drop disposal items |
Not accepted drop disposal items |
Prescription / over-the-counter medications |
Oxygen tanks/ Nebulizers |
Veterinary (animal) medications |
Needles/ Sharps/ Thermometers / IV bags |
Vitamins/ minerals/ samples |
Any equipment or syringes to administer medications |
For easier disposal, free medication take back envelopes are available for pick up at many Fort Worth Fire Department locations.
Locations by county
- Allen - CVS Pharmacy 1210 N. Alma Drive 75013 214-383-0174
- McKinney - Medical City McKinney 4500 Medical Center Dr 75069 972-547-8000
- McKinney - Walgreen Pharmacy 1651 W University Drive 75069 972-548-1662
- Plano - Walgreens Pharmacy 2001 Custer Rd, Plano, TX 75075 972-575-8237
- Plano - Baylor Scott & White Pharmacy 4716 Alliance Blvd Ste. 280 75093 469-814-5780
- Plano - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 3312 Preston Road 75093 469-304-3124
- Plano - Medical City Plano 3901 West 15th Street 75075 972-596-6800
- Plano - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 6001 N. Central Expressway 75023 972-422-9651
- Plano - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 3513 E Park Blvd 75074 469-304-3148
- Propser - CVS Pharmacy 201 S. Preston Rd. 75078 972- 347-6375
- Wylie - Public Safety Complex 2000 N Hwy 78 Wylie, TX 75098 972-442-8171
- Argyle - CVS Pharmacy 111 East Fm 407 76226 940-240-0828
- Carrollton - Walgreens Pharmacy 1804 E Hebron Pkwy, 75010 972-939-1977
- Carrollton - CVS Pharmacy 2142 N Josey Ln 75006 972-446-1915
- Colony - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 4691 State Highway 121 75056 972-625-3784
- Colony - CVS Pharmacy 5300 South Colony 75056 972-624-0605
- The Colony - Colony Police Department 5151 N. Colony Blvd The Colony, TX 75056 972-625-1756
- Denton - Walgreens Pharmacy 101 W University Dr. 76201 940-384-0240
- Denton - CVS Pharmacy 3200 Teasley Ln. 76210 940-382-1810
- Denton - Medical City Denton 3535 S Interstate 35 E 76210 940-384-3535
- Denton - Walgreen Pharmacy 101 W University 76201 940-384-0240
- Denton - CVS Pharmacy 116 W. University Dr 76201 940-387-9549
- Flower Mound - Flower Mound Prescription Dropoff 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane, 75028 972-539-0525
- Flower Mound - CVS Pharmacy 1100 Flower Mound Rd. 75028 972-874-8421
- Frisco - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 12220 Fm-423 75034 469-362-8641
- Frisco - Medical City Frisco 5500 Frisco Square Blvd. 75034 214-618-0500
- Frisco - CVS Pharmacy 7230 Preston Rd 75034 972-335-4979
- Frisco - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 8555 Preston Road 75034 972-987-8766
- Highland Village - City Hall Rotunda 1000 Highland Village Rd. Highland Village, TX 75077 972-317-6551
- Lewisville - Lewisville Police Department 1187 W. Main Street, 75057 972-219-3600
- Lewisville - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 801 West Main 75067 972-221-1150
- Lewisville - Medical City Lewisville 500 W Main St 75057 469-370-2000
- Little Elm - CVS Pharmacy 2591 Fm 423 75068 972-731-8032
- Prosper - Cook Children’s Medical Center – Retail Pharmacy- Prosper 4200 W. University Dr. Prosper, TX 75078 945-204-0350
- Roanoke - CVS Pharmacy 1305 N. HWY 377 76262 682-831-1923
- Roanoke - Roanoke Police Department 609 Dallas Dr. 76262 817-491-6052
- Sherman - Sherman Police Department 317 S. Travis St. 75090 903-892-7290
- Granbury - Best Value Ron’s Pharmacy 420 W. Pearl St. 76048 817-573-1143
- Granbury - Hood County Sheriff’s Office 400 Deputy Larry Miller Dr. 76048 817-579-33169
- Granbury - CVS Pharmacy 1101 East Highway 377 76048 817-573-8877
- Burleson - Walgreens 833 SW Wilshire Blvd 76028 817-447-4172
- Burleson - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 951 S.W. Wilshire Blvd. 76028 817-447-2307
- Burleson - CVS Pharmacy 100 SW Wilshire Blvd. 76028 817-295-1125
- Cleburne - Best Value Royce Pharmacy 502 N. Main St. 76033 817-645-2445
- Cleburne - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 1616 W. Henderson 76031 817-558-9994
- Cleburne - CVS Pharmacy 614 W. Henderson St.76033 817-645-2419
- Joshua - Best Value Dan’s Pharmacy 3521 B SW Wilshire 76058 817-484-3267
- Mineral Wells - Mineral Wells Police Department 211 SW First Avenue 76067 940-328-7770
- Mineral Wells - Best Value Waddy Pharmacy 106 SW 6th Ave. 76067 940-325-0734
- Weatherford - Medical City Weatherford 713 E Anderson St, 76086 682-582-1000
- Weatherford - Weatherford Police Department 801 Santa Fe Drive 76086 817-598-4310
- Weatherford - Best Value Hometown Pharmacy 1702 Santa Fe Drive 76086 817-594-3435
- Weatherford - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 1836 S. Main St. 76086 817-599-4166
- Weatherford - Walgreens Pharmacy 1317 S. MAIN ST. 76086 817-594-5771
- Fort Worth - Cook Children’s Medical Center – Retail Pharmacy 801 7th Ave. 76104 682-885-4000
- Fort Worth - Central Division 501 Jones St. 76102 817-392-4780
- Fort Worth - Dodson Pharmacy 1500 Cooper St Ste 1541, Fort Worth, TX 76104682-303-3900
- Fort Worth - East Division 1100 Nashville Ave. 76105 817-392-4222
- Fort Worth - North Division 2500 N. Houston St. 76164 817-392-4222
- Fort Worth - South Division 7650 McCart Ave. 76133 817-392-3650
- Fort Worth - West Division 3525 Marquita Dr. 76116 817-392-4222
- Fort Worth - JPS Health Network - Main Campus Pharmacy 1500 S. Main 76107 817-702-1215
- Fort Worth - Tarrant County Corrections Center 100 N. Lamar 76196 817-884-3000
- Fort Worth - Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office – North Patrol 6651 Lake Worth Blvd. 76135 817-884-3099
- Fort Worth - Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76014 817-250-2000
- Fort Worth - UNT Health Science Center 3600 Mattison Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-735-2000
- Fort Worth - Walgreens 6205 Westcreek Dr. 76133 817-263-0962
- Fort Worth - Best Value Country Day Pharmacy 6020A Harris Parkway 76132 817-738-0722
- Fort Worth - Baylor Scott & White Pharmacy 1250 8th Ave Ste 125 76104 817-922-3800
- Fort Worth - Medical City Fort Worth 900 8th Ave 76104 817-336-2100
- Fort Worth - Walmart Pharmacy 2245 Jacksboro Highway 76114 817-569-6241
- Fort Worth - Walgreens Pharmacy 6205 Westcreek Drive 76133 817-263-0962
- Fort Worth - CVS Pharmacy 6431 Mccart Ave. 76133 817-263-8070
- Fort Worth - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 2900 Renaissance Square 76105 817-900-1909
- Fort Worth - Medical City Alliance 3101 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 180 76177 817-639-1000
- Fort Worth - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 7451 McCart Avenue 76133 817-361-7284
- Grapevine - Grapevine Police Department 1007 Ira E Woods Ave 76051 817-410-8127
- Grapevine - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 1601 West State Hwy 114 76051 817-488-6682
- Haltom City - Walgreens Pharmacy 4520 Western Ctr. Blvd. 76137 817-514-8063
- Hurst - Hurst Police Department 825 Thousand Oaks 76054 817-788-7180
- Hurst - Walgreens Pharmacy 780 W Bedford -Euless Rd. 76053 817-282-0308
- Keller - Keller Police Department 330 Rufe Snow Drive 76248 817-743-4500
- Keller - CVS Pharmacy 101 N. Rufe Snow Dr. 76248 817-431-3513
- Mansfield - Mansfield Police Department 1305 E. Broad St. 76063 817-276-4700
- North Richland Hills - Medical City North Hills 4401 Booth Calloway Rd 76180 817-255-1000
- North Richland Hills - CVS Pharmacy 6401 Precinct Line Rd. 76180 817-485-8302
- North Richland Hills - Wal-Mart Pharmacy 9101 North Tarrant Pky 76182 817-605-1717
- North Richland Hills - North Richland Hills Police Department 4301 City Point Dr. 76180 817-427-7000
- Roanoke - Roanoke Police Department 609 Dallas Dr. 76262 817-491-6052
- Southlake - Southlake Police Department 600 State St. 76092 817-748-8149
- Southlake - Baylor Scott & White Pharmacy 925 E Southlake Blvd Ste #120 76092 817-912-8710
- Watauga - Watauga Police Department 7101 Whitley Rd. 76148 817-514-5870
- Westworth Village - Westworth Village Police Department 311 Burton Hill Rd. 76114 817-738-3675
- Bridgeport - Bridgeport Police Department 1000 Thompson St. 76426 940-683-3430
- Decatur - Best Value Renshaw Drug 800 Medical Center Dr. 76234 940-627-5343
Educational Resources
Items to Request
- Dispose Rx packet
- Lookalike slim card(English & Spanish)
- Medication schedule with magnet (English & Spanish)
- Cabinet locks
- Poison Control Center magnet
- Safe disposal magnet
- Poison Prevention Brochure (English & Spanish)
Free virtual courses
Poison Prevention 101
1 hour (Virtual - Zoom)
Did you know that 9 out of 10 poisonings occur in the home? Join The Injury Prevention Collaborative as we discuss the three important steps to prevent poisonings from occurring in your home! We will talk about tips for safe dosing, safe storage, and safe disposal of over the counter and prescription medications as well as household products and cleaners.
Prevención de Envenenamientos 101
1 hour (Virtual - Zoom)
¿Sabías que 9 de cada 10 envenenamientos ocurren en el hogar? ¡Únase a Safe Kids North Texas - Fort Worth mientras hablamos de los tres pasos importantes para evitar que ocurran envenenamientos en su hogar! Hablaremos sobre consejos para la dosificación segura, el almacenamiento seguro y la eliminación segura de medicamentos de venta libre y recetados, así como productos de limpieza y productos para el hogar.
Together, Texans are Tackling the Fentanyl Crisis
1 minute (Virtual - Recording)
Fentanyl overdoses are on the rise in Texas. Even the smallest amount, equivalent to a few grains of sand, can cause an overdose. From fake pills to other illegal substances, deadly fentanyl can hide anywhere. Watch to learn what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Safe Storage, Safe Dosing, Safe Kids
1 minute (Virtual - Recording)
More than 60,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year because they got into medication while unsupervised. Watch this video for tips on keeping your kids safe.
Safe Storage Tips for Poison Prevention
4 minutes (Virtual - Recording)
Safe storage is a key step in preventing accidental poisonings. Learn the top 3 tips for safe storage of medications and household products.
North Texas Poison Center Community Webinar
29 minutes (Virtual - Recording)
March 20-26, 2022 is Nation Poison Prevention Week. The goal of this week is to spread awareness about poison prevention and why it’s so important in our community. Lizbeth Petty from the North Texas Poison Center shares about programming and resources available to families and professionals across North Texas. The Injury Prevention Collaborative led by Cook Children’s and the Poison Center work together to educate and provide prevention tools so that communities can be safe from poisonings.
Questions or comments
If you have any questions or would like more information about our program, please email injury.prevention@cookchildrens.org.
1 Cook Children's Health Care System. Health Care Analytics and Trauma Registry Departments. 2021.
2 Community-wide Children's Health Assessment and Planning Survey (CCHAPS) (2021). Cook Children's Health Care System. Fort Worth, Texas.