Accidentally poisoning yourself is much easier than you might think.

Once, I took two antihistamine medications on the same night and panicked when Google told me that there might be an interaction between them. So, I called the toll-free Poison Help Line — 1-800-222-1222, listed on many household chemical bottles — and they told me that I was fine, saving me from an unnecessary emergency room visit and needless stress.

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Beyond reassurance, the US Poison Center Network — a constellation of 53 regional centers serving every state and territory — offers lifesaving first aid guidance and useful data surveillance. Staffed by medical professionals trained in toxicology, many centers now also offer text and live chat services in multiple languages in addition to the traditional 24/7 helpline. From your grandma unwittingly eating your marijuana-laced brownie to your child swallowing an unknown pill, poison control is there to walk you........

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