Delaware Coalition for Injury Prevention
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PREVENTION TEAMS:
| – Dog Bites | – Drowning/Submersion Injuries | – Falls |
| – Fires/Burns | – Motor Vehicle Crashes | – Poisoning |
| – Traumatic Brain/Spinal Cord Injury | – Violent Injury |
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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