Why and When You Should Call the Poison Center
You should call the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center anytime you have a concern about a poison or poisoning, 1-800-222-1222. The poison center will provide emergency information efficiently. If the substance has possible toxicity that cannot be managed at home. You will be referred to your doctor or hospital. The poison center will call ahead to the hospital and will provide specific information to aid in the medical care.
The professional staff at the poison center can determine the severity of an exposure and decide whether it can be handled at home or if hospital treatment is required. The poison center is as close as your phone and may save valuable time by starting proper management for an exposure.
Many exposures do not require hospital treatment and can be managed in the home with the guidance of the professionals at the poison center.
Improper home management can complicate medical treatment.
The poison center has many resources and references not available in the home, physician's office and emergency departments. First aid treatment recommended on product containers or home medical books may be outdated or inaccurate.
What to Do if a Poisoning Occurs in Your Home
Many poisonings can be safely handled at home with the guidance of the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center or a physician.
What You Should/Should Not Do if You Suspect Someone Has Been Poisoned
- Stay calm. Provide appropriate emergency action for poisoning.
- Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
- Call the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center, 1-800-222-1222. Be prepared to give the facts (victim's age, weight, etc.)
- Have the label ready when you call.
- Listen carefully and follow instructions exactly.
- Estimate the time the accident occurred.
- When a person eats or drinks poison, gets poison on skin, in eyes, or inhales a poison. Remember: all substances are potentially poisonous. All questions are important. Do not hesitate calling if you have a concern.
- Anytime someone has taken medicine incorrectly. This includes taking the wrong dose. the wrong medicine, taking the medicine with alcohol, or any other misuse of medication.
- If you have questions or concerns about:
- First aid for poisonings
- Drug abuse issues
- Drug information such as side effects, adverse reactions or interactions
- Tablet or capsule identification
- Household or yard products
- Occupational substance exposures
- House plants
- Yard plants
- Mushrooms
- Insect or animal bites
- Food poisonings
- How to poison-proof your home or business
- Poison information literature
