Poisoning
First Aid
If
you fear you or your child has ingested or been exposed to a
toxic chemical, call the Florida Poison Information
Center of Miami immediately at 800-282-3171 or 305-585-5253.
The center is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Operators can give
emergency treatment information over the phone and refer you
to a local hospital for treatment.
DON'T
HESITATE TO CALL
Even
if you are unsure a poison was taken. Provide your doctor or
the Poison Control Center with the following information:
-
Identify
yourself and the patient.
-
Give
the patient's age, weight and condition.
- Give
your phone number so you can be reached if your call is accidentally
disconnected.
- Give
the exact name of the product. Have the poison container available
and read the label.
- Estimate
the amount taken.
- Tell
the operator when the poisoning occurred
REMAIN
CALM
There
is always time to act. Your doctor or the Poison Control Center
will give you instructions on what to do next.
If
you can't reach the above number, call 911.
View
the information below to be prepared in case of an emergency.
WHAT
TO DO IF POISONED:
Do
these things before you call someone:
Remove
poisons from contact with eyes, skin, or mouth.
Eyes:
-
Flood
the eye with lukewarm (not hot) water. Repeat for 15 minutes.
Have person blink as much as possible while flooding the eye.
DO NOT FORCE THE EYELID OPEN.
-
Do
not allow the patient to rub the affected eye(s).
-
Wash
the poison off the skin with large volumes of water for 10
minutes, then wash gently with soap and rinse.
-
Remove
contaminated clothing.
If
poison is swallowed:
Remove all tablets, powder, plants, etc., from the patient's
mouth. Examine for any burns, cuts, irritation, or unusual coloring.
IMMEDIATELY CALL YOUR LOCAL POISON CONTROL CENTER (in Miami
800-282-3171 or 305-585-5253), or CALL 911. The emergency
medical technicians will instruct you on the proper course of
action.
IF
EXPOSED TO GASES OR FUMES:
-
Immediately
get victim to fresh air.
-
Open
doors and windows wide.
-
-
If
not breathing, clear the throat and start mouth-to-mouth respiration.
-
Continue
mouth-to-mouth until help arrives.
CALL
YOUR LOCAL POISON CONTROL CENTER OR DOCTOR FOR INFORMATION ABOUT
WHAT TO DO NEXT!
IF
INSTRUCTED TO INDUCE VOMITING:
HAVE
SYRUP OF IPECAC AVAILABLE TO INDUCE VOMITING
Syrup of Ipecac can be purchased from your pharmacy without
a prescription. It will keep stored at room temperature for
years. Keep one or two ounces available in your home.
Recommended
dosage for Syrup of Ipecac:
Children
one year old or less:
Children
over one year old:
Recommended
dosage for Syrup of Ipecac:
-
Give
the appropriate dose of Syrup of Ipecac with a few ounces
of water or a favorite drink.
-
If
the patient hasn't vomited in 15 minutes, give another dose
of Syrup of Ipecac or more liquids.
DON'T
WASTE TIME TRYING OTHER WAYS TO INDUCE VOMITING.
-
Tickling
the back of the throat is ineffective.
-
Do
not use salt water. It is ineffective and potentially dangerous.
NEVER
INDUCE VOMITING IF:
-
The
patient is unconscious.
-
The
patient is having a convulsion.
-
A
caustic (strong acid or alkali) was swallowed.
-
A
petroleum product was swallowed (gasoline, lighter fluids,
cleaning products, furniture polish, etc.)
IF
INSTRUCTED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL:
-
Take
the poison and its container, plant, etc., to the hospital.
-
Do
not attempt any additional first aid unless your doctor or
the Poison Control Center has instructed you to do so.
-
Keep
calm if a poisoning has occurred.
-
Do
not delay in seeking advice.
-
Keep
all drugs and dangerous household chemicals locked up.
-
Never
place a dangerous chemical in a beverage container.
-
Do
not rely on childproof caps. Children can open them.
-
Do
not store drugs in purses or drawers or in the medicine cabinet.
-
Never
call medicine "candy."
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