What to do if Your Child has been Poisoned

If a poison was ingested:

• Check the mouth and remove any remaining poison.

• Do NOT treat or induce vomiting until you have consulted a professional.  Vomiting can sometimes cause long-term damage.

• Bring the poison container with you to the phone and call the poison control center, physician, or emergency medical service.

If a poison has come in contact with your child's skin:

• Rinse the skin with running water for 15 minutes.

• Remove contaminated clothing.

• Call the poison control center or a health care professional.

If the substance has gotten into your child's eyes:

• Do not let the child rub the eyes.

• Do not put the child's head under a faucet.

• Gently hold the eyelids open while pouring cool water into them for 15 minutes.

• Then call the poison control center.

Calls to poison control centers are free.  The centers are open 24 hours a day.

When you call, ask the specialist's first name, in case you need to make a follow-up call.  Have the following information ready:

• the child's condition

• the name of the product and ingredients (take the container with you to the phone)

• how much was taken

• time the poisoning happened

• your name and phone number

• the age and weight of the child

Post this near your telephone.  Write the numbers in today:

PEDIATRICIAN _________________________________________

POISON CONTROL CENTER _______________________________

HOSPITAL _____________________________________________

To find the phone number of the nearest poison control center, look in your Yellow Pages, or call the Association of Poison Control Centers, (202) 362-7217.  You also can access the association's web site at www.aapcc.org.  Note:  The association does not manage poison exposure cases.