Poisoning Guide

Poisoning — Toxic Ingestion Response

What to do when someone swallows, inhales, or contacts a poisonous substance.

Call Poison Control or 911/112 Immediately

Do not wait for symptoms. Call Poison Control (in the US: 1-800-222-1222) or emergency services. Keep the poison container for identification. If the person is unconscious, having a seizure, or difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Identify the Poison

Determine what was swallowed/inhaled, how much, and when. Save the container, label, or a sample. Note any pills remaining to estimate how many were taken.

2

Call for Help

Call Poison Control or 911/112. Provide: the substance, amount, time of exposure, the person's age and weight, and symptoms.

3

Follow Instructions Given

Poison Control will tell you exactly what to do. This may include giving water, going to the ER, or monitoring at home. Follow their advice precisely.

4

For Inhaled Poisons

Move the person to fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors. If the person is not breathing, begin CPR. Do not enter a confined space with toxic fumes without protection.

5

For Skin/Eye Contact

Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with running water for 15–20 minutes. For eye exposure, flush eyes with clean water for 15–20 minutes.

Do's and Don'ts

Do's

  • Call Poison Control or emergency services immediately
  • Save the container/label of the substance
  • Move to fresh air if inhaled
  • Rinse skin or eyes if contacted

Don'ts

  • Don't induce vomiting unless told to by Poison Control
  • Don't give anything by mouth unless instructed
  • Don't use home remedies (milk, salt water, etc.) without guidance
  • Don't neutralize the poison (e.g., giving acid for alkali ingestion)

Aftercare

Even if symptoms are mild, follow up with a doctor. Some poisons cause delayed organ damage (liver, kidneys) that may not show symptoms for days.
Store all chemicals, medications, and cleaning products out of children's reach. Use child-proof locks.