POISONING
What Is A Poison?
A poison is anything which can cause damage to the body. Some examples of poisons are:
- drugs (including aspirin, Tylenol®, birth control pills, and iron
tablets)
- perfume
- bleach
- deodorant
- detergents
- some plants
- cleaning agents
- charcoal lighter
- kerosene
- fingernail polish
If A Person Swallows A Poison, What Should You Do?
- If a person is unconscious or having seizures, he or she should be taken to a hospital
emergency room immediately. Call 911. Bring the poison or container with you.
- Immediately call your doctor at 792-3451 or the Poison Control Center at
1-800-922-1117. If the harmful material was in a container, take the container to the
telephone so that you can give accurate information to the nurse or doctor. If you go to see a
doctor, take the container.
- Do not make the child vomit unless you are told to do so by a medical person. With some
poisons, vomiting can cause more injury. However, if vomiting is recommended, it is helpful to
always have a one ounce bottle of Syrup of Ipecac®. This
can be purchased at a drug store without a prescription.
How Can Poisoning Be Prevented?
Keep harmful materials in locked cabinets or out of reach. The following places often have
harmful items and should be checked:
- under the kitchen sink
- on kitchen shelves
- bedroom tables
- dressers
- bathroom
- women's pocketbooks
- Teach children that some things are not to be touched.
- Do not call medicine "candy".
- Watch preschool children closely.
- Never put poison such as kerosene in empty soft drink bottles. A child may drink it by
mistake.
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