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 nurses and pharmacists and 80 percent of them are handled at home, without having to go to the Emergency Room. Call 9-1-1 if your child won't wake up, is having trouble breathing or is having seizures.
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.
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.
- 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.
- Prescription / Over-the-counter medications
- Veterinary (animal) medications
- Vitamins / Minerals / Samples
- Oxygen tanks / nebulizers
- Needles / Sharps
- Thermometers / IV bags
- Any equipment or syringes to administer medications
If you do not have a drug take back location near you, check the FDA's flush list. Visit here to 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.
Safe Disposal
It is important to 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.
1Cook 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.
Community Drop Box Locations
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.
Download list of Fort Worth Fire Department locations to pick up medication take back envelope.
County | City | Location | Drop-off Times | Phone |
---|---|---|---|---|
Collin | Allen | CVS Pharmacy | 1210 N. Alma Drive 75013 | 214-383-0174 |
Collin | McKinney | Medical City McKinney | 4500 Medical Center Dr 75069 | 972-547-8000 |
Collin | McKinney | Walgreen Pharmacy | 1651 W University Drive 75069 | 972-548-1662 |
Collin | Plano | Walgreens Pharmacy | 2001 Custer Rd, Plano, TX 75075 | 972-575-8237 |
Collin | Plano | Baylor Scott & White Pharmacy | 4716 Alliance Blvd Ste. 280 75093 | 469-814-5780 |
Collin | Plano | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 3312 Preston Road 75093 | 469-304-3124 |
Collin | Plano | Medical City Plano | 3901 West 15th Street 75075 | 972-596-6800 |
Collin | Plano | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 6001 N. Central Expressway 75023 | 972-422-9651 |
Collin | Plano | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 3513 E Park Blvd 75074 | 469-304-3148 |
Collin | Propser | CVS Pharmacy | 201 S. Preston Rd. 75078 | 972- 347-6375 |
Denton | Argyle | CVS Pharmacy | 111 East Fm 407 76226 | 940-240-0828 |
Denton | Carrollton | Walgreens Pharmacy | 1804 E Hebron Pkwy, 75010 972-939-1977 | 972-939-1977 |
Denton | Carrollton | CVS Pharmacy | 2142 N Josey Ln 75006 | 972-446-1915 |
Denton | Colony | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 4691 State Highway 121 75056 | 972-625-3784 |
Denton | Colony | CVS Pharmacy | 5300 South Colony 75056 | 972-624-0605 |
Denton | Denton | Walgreens Pharmacy | 101 W University Dr. 76201 | 940-384-0240 |
Denton | Denton | CVS Pharmacy | 3200 Teasley Ln. 76210 | 940-382-1810 |
Denton | Denton | Medical City Denton | 3535 S Interstate 35 E 76210 940-384-3535 | 940-384-3535 |
Denton | Denton | Walgreen Pharmacy | 101 W University 76201 | 940-384-0240 |
Denton | Denton | CVS Pharmacy | 116 W. University Dr 76201 | 940-387-9549 |
Denton | Flower Mound | Flower Mound Prescription Dropoff | 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane, 75028 | 972-539-0525 |
Denton | Flower Mound | CVS Pharmacy | 1100 Flower Mound Rd. 75028 | 972-874-8421 |
Denton | Frisco | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 12220 Fm-423 75034 | 469-362-8641 |
Denton | Frisco | Medical City Frisco | 5500 Frisco Square Blvd. 75034 | 214-618-0500 |
Denton | Frisco | CVS Pharmacy | 7230 Preston Rd 75034 | 972-335-4979 |
Denton | Frisco | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 8555 Preston Road 75034 | 972-987-8766 |
Denton | Lewisville | Lewisville Police Department | 1187 W. Main Street, 75057 | 972-219-3600 |
Denton | Lewisville | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 801 West Main 75067 | 972-221-1150 |
Denton | Lewisville | Medical City Lewisville | 500 W Main St 75057 | 469-370-2000 |
Denton | Little Elm | CVS Pharmacy | 2591 Fm 423 75068 | 972-731-8032 |
Denton | Roanoke | CVS Pharmacy | 1305 N. HWY 377 76262 | 682-831-1923 |
Grayson | Denison | Denison Police Department | 108 W. Main St. 75021 | 903-465-2422 |
Grayson | Sherman | Sherman Police Department | 317 S. Travis St. 75090 | 903-892-7290 |
Hood | Granbury | Best Value Ron’s Pharmacy | 420 W. Pearl St. 76048 | 817-573-1143 |
Hood | Granbury | Hood County Sheriff’s Office | 400 Deputy Larry Miller Dr. 76048 | 817-579-33169 |
Hood | Granbury | CVS Pharmacy | 1101 East Highway 377 76048 | 817-573-8877 |
Johnson | Burleson | Walgreens | 833 SW Wilshire Blvd 76028 | 817-447-4172 |
Johnson | Burleson | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 951 S.W. Wilshire Blvd. 76028 | 817-447-2307 |
Johnson | Burleson | CVS Pharmacy | 100 SW Wilshire Blvd. 76028 | 817-295-1125 |
Johnson | Cleburne | Best Value Royce Pharmacy | 502 N. Main St. 76033 | 817-645-2445 |
Johnson | Cleburne | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 1616 W. Henderson 76031 | 817-558-9994 |
Johnson | Cleburne | CVS Pharmacy | 614 W. Henderson St.76033 | 817-645-2419 |
Johnson | Joshua | Best Value Dan’s Pharmacy | 3521 B SW Wilshire 76058 | 817-484-3267 |
Palo Pinto | Mineral Wells | Mineral Wells Police Department | 211 SW First Avenue 76067 | 940-328-7770 |
Palo Pinto | Mineral Wells | Best Value Waddy Pharmacy | 106 SW 6th Ave. 76067 | 940-325-0734 |
Parker | Weatherford | Medical City Weatherford | 713 E Anderson St, 76086 | 682-582-1000 |
Parker | Weatherford | Weatherford Police Department | 801 Santa Fe Drive 76086 | 817-598-4310 |
Parker | Weatherford | Best Value Hometown Pharmacy | 1702 Santa Fe Drive 76086 | 817-594-3435 |
Parker | Weatherford | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 1836 S. Main St. 76086 | 817-599-4166 |
Parker | Weatherford | Walgreens Pharmacy | 1317 S. MAIN ST. 76086 | 817-594-5771 |
Tarrant | Arlington | CVS Pharmacy | 5900 W. Pleasant Ridge Rd. 76016 | 817-478-6041 |
Tarrant | Arlington | Randol Mill Pharmacy | 1014 N Fielder Rd 76012 | 817-274-1883 |
Tarrant | Arlington | Walgreen Pharmacy | 1116 W Lamar Blvd 76012 | 817-460-5719 |
Tarrant | Arlington | Medical City Arlington | 3301 Matlock Rd 76015 | 682-509-6200 |
Tarrant | Arlington | Walgreens Pharmacy | 2200 E Pioneer Parkway 76010 | 817-860-9510 |
Tarrant | Arlington | Walgreens Pharmacy | 3400 Matlock Rd. 76015 | 817-419-0569 |
Tarrant | Arlington | Walgreens Pharmacy | 2410 Ballpark Way 76006 | 817-861-7661 |
Tarrant | Azle | CVS Pharmacy | 460 Northwest Parkway 76020 | 817-444-7099 |
Tarrant | Blue Mound | Blue Mound Police Department | 301 Blue Mound Road 76131 | 817-232-0661 |
Tarrant | Burleson | Burleson Police Department | 1161 SW Wilshire Blvd 76028 | 817-426-9903 |
Tarrant | Euless | Euless Police Department | 1102 W. Euless Blvd 76040 | 817-685-1526 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Cook Children’s Medical Center – Retail Pharmacy | 801 7th Ave. 76104 | 682-885-4000 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Central Division | 501 Jones St. 76102 | 817-392-4780 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | East Division | 1100 Nashville Ave. 76105 | 817-392-4222 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | North Division | 2500 N. Houston St. 76164 | 817-392-4222 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | South Division | 7650 McCart Ave. 76133 | 817-392-3650 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | West Division | 3525 Marquita Dr. 76116 | 817-392-4222 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | JPS Health Network - Main Campus Pharmacy | 1500 S. Main 76107 | 817-702-1215 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Tarrant County Corrections Center | 100 N. Lamar 76196 | 817-884-3000 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office – North Patrol | 6651 Lake Worth Blvd. 76135 | 817-884-3099 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth | 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76014 | 817-250-2000 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | UNT Health Science Center | 3600 Mattison Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76107 | 817-735-2000 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Walgreens | 6205 Westcreek Dr. 76133 | 817- 263-0962 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Best Value Country Day Pharmacy | 6020A Harris Parkway 76132 | 817-738-0722 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Baylor Scott & White Pharmacy | 1250 8th Ave Ste 125 76104 | 817-922-3800 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Medical City Fort Worth | 900 8th Ave 76104 | 817-336-2100 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Walmart Pharmacy | 2245 Jacksboro Highway 76114 | 817-569-6241 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Walgreens Pharmacy | 6205 Westcreek Drive 76133 | 817- 263-0962 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | CVS Pharmacy | 6431 Mccart Ave. 76133 | 817- 263-8070 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 2900 Renaissance Square 76105 | 817-900-1909 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Medical City Alliance | 3101 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 180 76177 | 817-639-1000 |
Tarrant | Fort Worth | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 7451 McCart Avenue 76133 | 817-361-7284 |
Tarrant | Grapevine | Grapevine Police Department | 1007 Ira E Woods Ave 76051 | 817-410-8127 |
Tarrant | Grapevine | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 1601 West State Hwy 114 76051 | 817-488-6682 |
Tarrant | Haltom City | Walgreens Pharmacy | 4520 Western Ctr. Blvd. 76137 | 817-514-8063 |
Tarrant | Hurst | Hurst Police Department | 825 Thousand Oaks 76054 | 817-788-7180 |
Tarrant | Hurst | Walgreens Pharmacy | 780 W Bedford -Euless Rd. 76053 | 817-282-0308 |
Tarrant | Keller | Keller Police Department | 330 Rufe Snow Drive 76248 | 817-743-4500 |
Tarrant | Keller | CVS Pharmacy | 101 N. Rufe Snow Dr. 76248 | 817-431-3513 |
Tarrant | Mansfield | Mansfield Police Department | 1305 E. Broad St. 76063 | 817-276-4700 |
Tarrant | North Richland Hills | Medical City North Hills | 4401 Booth Calloway Rd 76180 | 817-255-1000 |
Tarrant | North Richland Hills | CVS Pharmacy | 6401 Precinct Line Rd. 76180 | 817- 485-8302 |
Tarrant | North Richland Hills | Wal-Mart Pharmacy | 9101 North Tarrant Pky 76182 | 817- 605-1717 |
Tarrant | North Richland Hills | North Richland Hills Police Department | 4301 City Point Dr. 76180 | 817-427-7000 |
Tarrant | Roanoke | Roanoke Police Department | 609 Dallas Dr. 76262 | 817-491-6052 |
Tarrant | Southlake | Southlake Police Department | 600 State St. 76092 | 817-748-8149 |
Tarrant | Southlake | Baylor Scott & White Pharmacy | 925 E Southlake Blvd Ste #120 76092 | 817-912-8710 |
Tarrant | Watauga | Watauga Police Department | 7101 Whitley Rd. 76148 | 817-514-5870 |
Tarrant | Westworth Village | Westworth Village Police Department | 311 Burton Hill Rd. 76114 | 817-738-3675 |
Wise | Bridgeport | Bridegeport Police Department | 1000 Thompson St. 76426 | 940-683-3430 |
Wise | Decatur | Best Value Renshaw Drug | 800 Medical Center Dr. 76234 | 940-627-5343 |
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.
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
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.
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
Download all social media graphics
Items to request:
- Lookalike card (English & Spanish)
- Home safety plan checklist (English & Spanish)
- Safe & sound pain management disposal magnet
- Poison Control Center magnet
- Medication schedule pad
Additional resources:
Community events
Poison Prevention 101
1 hour (Virtual - Zoom)
Did you know that 9 out of 10 poisonings occur in the home? Join Safe Kids North Texas - Fort Worth 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.
Delta-8 Discussion
1 hour (Virtual - Zoom)
A virtual presentation from Dr. Shaker of the North Texas Poison Center to discuss Delta-8. Delta-8 is a trending topic in our community right now due to the legal standing of it throughout the state. As access to this product becomes more readily available, the chance for a poisoning can occur. The password to view this videos is: Poison1222
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.
Podcast on preventing drug overdoses | Artee Gandhi, M.D.
33 minutes (Virtual - Recording)
Whether it’s Tylenol or Fentanyl, Artee Gandhi, M.D. has seen first-hand the damage drug overdoses can wreak on young people. Dr. Gandhi is the medical director of Pain Management at Cook Children’s and is a passionate advocate for about preventing drug addiction, ingestion, misuse, overdose and death. She oversees the Safe and Sound program at Cook Children’s, which promotes pain management techniques such as massage, yoga, aromatherapy and virtual reality. Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides.
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. Safe Kids North Texas- Fort Worth 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 safe.kids@cookchildrens.org.