Inhalant Awareness

Each year, over 2 million poisoning cases are reported in the United States, many of which are preventable. An average of 31 children die from unintended poisonings at home and an estimated 75,000 children under the age of five end up in hospital emergency departments from poisoning.

One often-overlooked form of unintentional poisonings is the misuse of inhalants. Inhalants are common household products that emit vapors; items like felt-tip markers, glue, gasoline, hair spray, nail polish remover, and cleaning fluids. They sound harmless, but in 2021, an estimated 2.2 million people used these inexpensive, everyday items to get high; in 2015 an estimated 40% of inhalant users were adolescents, ages 12 to 17. Inhalant use can lead to heart failure, brain and organ damage, and sometimes death, even the first time they are used.

In 1961, Congress established National Poison Prevention Week to help raise awareness, reduce unintentional poisonings, and promote prevention. As we approach this week celebrated annually in March, we can see how effective advocacy and education can help, especially since there has been an 80% reduction in poison-related deaths in the United States since the early 1970’s!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services goes on to note that National Poison Prevention Week is an opportunity to highlight the dangers of poisonings for people of all ages and promote community involvement in poisoning prevention. Do you have an upcoming campaign?

I’m Safe! offers Inhalants Awareness products that are directed at both children and parents, including Inhalants Pledge Cards and Inhalants Bookmarks. We also have a Family Health & Safety Calendar as a handy reference that highlights more safety days throughout the year. Interested in freebies? You can instantly download this Poison Prevention Activity Sheet or this Smart Steps Poison Prevention Sheet.