CHARLOTTE, NC - Burke Communications, a full-service Charlotte advertising agency, was selected by Carolinas Poison Center (CPC) to design an awareness campaign focusing on the vast amount of information available to the public about poison control. This campaign includes designing a billboard, website, and print and online ads.

The goal of the campaign is to highlight the Poison Center as the resource for detailed information regarding poison control. It's important for all people in North Carolina to know the phone number to their poison control center.

"Working with Burke has allowed the Carolinas Poison Center to help make people aware of the treatment and information about poisonings we can offer. Every call is free, confidential, and we are available 24/7. Help with poisonings is just a phone call away, and thanks to Burke, North Carolinians are getting to know their poison center even better," said Dr. Marsha Ford Director of Carolinas Poison Center.

Parents make up the majority of calls (52% of calls are for children under 6 years of age). However, Poison Experts on Call serves many different audiences including: young children, teens, adults, and senior adults. Most poisonings are accidental and happen when least expected. The CPC wants North Carolinians to be prepared for the unexpected. The Poison Experts On Call campaign has created the chance to connect with people about how they might prevent poisonings at home and how they can reach the CPC in an emergency situation.

Further, there is a lack of understanding of what a poison or "exposure" may actually be---it could range from over the counter or prescription pharmaceuticals to plants/mushrooms, animal bites, cleaning substances, and carbon monoxide. Highly trained nurses and pharmacists who are Specialists in Poison Information confidentially answer exposure questions, from snake bites and household cleaning products to pill identification information and over the counter medication, all at no cost. Call Carolinas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222, or if it is not an emergency, all information is available on the new website www.PoisonExpertsOnCall.org, designed by Burke.