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PREVENTION TEAMS:

Prevention of Poisoning Injuries Team

In Partnership With

Fast Facts

• More than 2,500,000 telephone calls are received by Poison Control Centers each year.
• More than half the calls involve children under the age of 6.
• Every 8 minutes a child is presented to an Emergency Department due to a poisoning.
• In more than 80% of cases, the Poison Control Center can reassure families and avoid a trip to the hospital.
• In case of emergency, be sure to Save the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 number in your phone.
• Poisonings can be prevented.

What if a poisoning occurs?

• First: Stay Calm
• Does the person have trouble breathing, or trouble staying awake?
  • YES: Call 911
  • NO: Call the Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

Poison Swallowed

• Gently wipe out mouth and rinse with water
• DO NOT induce vomiting
• If the person is already vomiting, keep them upright to prevent choking
• Call the Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

Poison on Skin

• Take off clothes that the poison touched.
• Wash the skin with running water.
• Call the Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

Poison in Eyes

• Rinse eyes with running water for 15 minutes.
• Call the Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

Poison Inhaled

• Remove person to fresh air IF you can do this without risk to yourself.
• If there is a risk to you, then call 911 for assistance.
• Call the Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

Common Poisons in the Home

• Alcohol and tobacco
• Personal care products (hair care, nail care, facial and other products)
• Household cleaners
• Irritating chemicals
• Oils and automobile products
• Torch fuel
• Carbon monoxide
• Freon gas
• Insect repellants
• Rodent poisons

Follow this link for more information on poisons

Natural Poisons

• Plants that irritate
• Poisonous plants
• Nonpoisonous plants
• Mushrooms
• Poisonous berries
• Nonpoisonous berries
• Poisonous seeds

Follow this link for more information on poisons

Medication Safety

Medication safety is an important preventive measure for unintentional poisonings, especially in children.

• Keep medications up and out of sight
• Avoid taking your medications in front of young children
• Never refer to a medication as candy
• Read labels carefully
• Use measuring devices that come with the medications (not kitchen spoons)
• Provide detailed instructions for others who may need to give medicine to your child
• Clean out your medicine cabinet periodically and discard old medicines

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