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Central Ohio Poison Center

As one of only 61 American Association of Poison Control Regional Certified Centers, The Central Ohio Poison Center provides central and southeastern Ohio residents with state-of-the-art poison prevention, assessment and treatment.  

The Center’s services are available to the public, medical professionals and industry and human service agencies.  The Poison Center handles more than 42,000 poison exposure calls annually, and confidential, free emergency poisoning treatment advice is available 24/7.

The "Be Poison Smart!"® Program provides poison prevention education to health care providers, students, parents and the general public in cooperation with agencies such as the Ohio Department of Health, Head Start and the Ohio Hospital Association.

Our Clinics

Community Resource Program
Central Ohio Poison Center
700 Children's Dr.
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: (614) 355-0463
Fax: (614) 355-0455

Department Highlights

Make a Gift          

If you would like to contribute to the Central Ohio Poison Center, please visit our Foundation to make a gift. Thank you!

Contact Information          

Poison Emergency: 1-800-222-1222
This national poison emergency hotline number connects callers to the closest/local poison center. Ohio residents are serviced by one of the 3 regional poison centers located in Cleveland, Cincinnati or Columbus.

The Central Ohio Poison Center also offers assistance to the hearing impaired (T.T.Y.): 1-866-688-0088.

Call the Poison Center first! If a person is unconscious, call 911.

What is the nationwide poison center number?
All regional poison centers in the United States will be accessed via 1-800-222-1222. When you call the number, you will reach one of the three Ohio Poison centers, located in Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus.

Who will answer the phone when you call?
Health care professionals including pharmacists, nurses or physicians staff the Central Ohio Poison Center. Most of them have passed a special certification exam classifying them as certified specialists in poison information (CSPI). They are local experts who know the community and are trusted by local doctors, pharmacists, paramedics and nurses to provide the best information on poison-related questions and treatments.

Why is it important to support poison centers?
In December 1993, members of an Oregon family suffered severe respiratory symptoms after using a new type of leather cleaning spray. An alert poison control center director notified colleagues nationally and set in motion a response to the potential crisis. Within four hours, the manufacturer had voluntarily recalled the aerosol cleaner and stores throughout the country were directed to remove the product from their shelves. For over 20 years, poison control centers have prevented or restricted public health catastrophes such as the leather spray episode. However, dwindling support from state and local government, as well as financial pressure on hospitals, have forced many poison control centers to close.

Who should we thank for making this possible?
United States Senator Mike DeWine recognized the value of poison centers and lead the effort to enact "The Poison Center Enhancement and Awareness Act," which was passed into law in 1999.

Pill Identification             

If you need to have a medication identified or want to obtain more information about your medication, please contact your pharmacist or visit www.Drugs.com. This site is an accurate, comprehensive and current online source of drug information, providing free and independent advice on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and natural products.

2008 Annual Report       

Read our 2008 Annual Report to learn about the programs we offer and the 50th Anniversary of the Central Ohio Poison Center.

Additional Information

"Be Poison Smart!"® Teaching Guidelines

• Annually, over 1 million children under the age of five are poisoned, with more than 130,000 needing medical attention. These cases account for more than 50% of all poison exposures reported in the United States.
• 8 out of 10 poison exposures can be managed at home, without the high cost of 911 emergency services or hospital visits. Yet, less than half of all families call a poison center when a child or other family member is poisoned.

Here's how to Be Poison Smart

When you bring something home, think:

• "Is this product a pretty poison?"
•  "Is this medicine or pills?"
• "Does it have alcohol, gasoline in it?"
• "Does it contain insecticides or pesticides?"

If any answer is yes, store the product out of sight and out of reach of young children. 

If you think someone is poisoned, call the Poison Center first! If they're unconscious, call 911. Poison Emergency: 1-800-222-1222 or (T.T.Y.): 1-866-688-0088

• Help is available 24 hours every day.
• Calls are confidential and free to the public.
• Bring the person and the poison to the phone when you call.

Lower chances of getting lead poisoning:

• Wash hands often
• Eat foods high in calcium and iron
• Check for lead paint chips
• Ask a doctor or health department about lead screening