Poisoning

Here are some common items found at home that can cause poisoning.

• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
• Cosmetics, nail care products, and perfumes
• Arts and crafts products, such as glue
• Bleach, dishwasher detergent, detergent pods, drain and toilet bowl cleaners, furniture polish, and other cleaning products
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Windshield washer fluid and antifreeze
• Turpentine products, kerosene, lye, lighter fluid, and paint thinners and solvents
• Garden products, especially products that kill insects, pests, or weeds
• Batteries and mothballs
• Edible marijuana and vape products

First aid measures for suspected poisoning

Call a poison control center, hospital, or doctor right away. The United States National Poison Control Hotline phone number is 1-800-222-1222. Have the poison container with you so you can give complete information to the poison control center. They have guidelines on what treatments are needed for all types of poisons.

Do not try to make the person vomit. And do not use syrup of ipecac. It is no longer used to treat poisonings. If you have syrup of ipecac in your home, call your pharmacist for instructions on how to dispose of it and throw away the container. Don't store anything else in the container. Activated charcoal is also not used at home to treat poisonings.

The poison control center will be able to help you quickly if you have this information ready:

• Your name and phone number
• The name, age, weight, and health status of the person who has been poisoned
• Type of product. Read the brand name as it's written on the label. Include the list of ingredients and the company name and contact number, if it's on the label.
• Amount of product involved in poisoning
• Type of poison exposure—swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with the eyes or skin
• Time of poisoning
• Whether the person vomited
• Any first aid measures taken
• Your location and how far you are from an emergency medical facility

If the poison control center recommends medical evaluation, take the product container or substance and any stomach contents that the person vomited to help doctors find out how serious the poisoning is.

If you think the poisoning is intentional

If a poisoning was intentional, get help.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.