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In this section:

• FAQs
  • First Steps in a Poisoning Emergency
  • Calling Poison Help
  • General Questions on Poisons
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Household and Chemical Products
  • Medicine
  • Pesticides or Pest Killers
  • Animals, Bites, and Stings
  • Plants
  • School/Art Supplies
  • Food Poisoning

FAQs

First Steps in a Poisoning Emergency

• A poisoning may have occurred. What should I do?
• What should I do if my child swallows something poisonous?
• Should I use activated charcoal when I suspect someone has been poisoned?

Calling Poison Help

• What is the Poison Help line?
• What should I do when I need to call for help?
• Who will answer the phone when I call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222?
• What should I do if I think someone has been poisoned?
• Why should I call the Poison Help line?
• Can I call the Poison Help line if I just have a question, not a poisoning emergency?
• What is done with all the information I give the poison center?
• How can I be prepared for an emergency?
• Will the poison center call me to follow up?
• What type of person most often calls the Poison Help line?
• Are caregivers of young children the only people who call the Poison Help line?
• When is the Poison Help line the busiest?

General Questions on Poisons

• What is a poison?
• What are the different forms of poison?
• What does a poisoned person look like?
• Why are so many poisonings related to children under age 6?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 

• What is carbon monoxide (CO) and where does it come from?
• How does CO poison people?
• What should I do if I think I have been exposed to CO?

Household and Chemical Products 

• My child likes to eat toothpaste. Is this dangerous?
• What should I do with the mercury from a broken thermometer?
• Can mouthwash be dangerous?
• Why is it dangerous to use drink containers to store household products and other chemicals?
• Is the lead in paint dangerous to children?

Medicine 

• I found some pills in an unlabeled bottle. How do I find out what they are?
• Is it dangerous to take expired medicine?
• How can I get rid of medicines safely?
• Are adults at risk when they use medicines?
• What can people do to protect themselves from medicines that have been tampered with?

Pesticides or Pest Killers

• How much DEET is harmful for children?

Animals, Bites, and Stings 

• What should I do if I am stung by an insect?
• What should I do if I am bitten by a snake?
• What should I do if I am bitten by a spider?

Plants 

• What should I do if I or someone I know eats wild mushrooms?
• What should I do if I or someone I know eats wild berries?
• What should I do if I come in contact with poisonous plants?

School/Art Supplies 

• What are some general tips on back-to-school and art supply safety?

Food Poisoning 

• What are some general tips on food safety?