Poison Control Phone Number

About the Poison Control Phone Number

In January 2002, the government unveiled a new toll-free poison control number that serves all states, cities and townships:

This number automatically connects callers to their local poison control center based on area code and origination phone number, and it is available for free 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Individuals can still call their local numbers, however, which can be found on the Keep Kids Healthy Web site. In fact, it is a wise idea for parents to keep both the national and local poison control numbers available in case there are connection problems or technical issues that prevent an emergency call from being properly received.

Poison control call centers are staffed by medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists who are specially trained to assist in poisoning emergencies. Nationwide, more than one million calls are made to poison control centers each year, and more than half of those calls concern children under the age of five. By properly using the phone number and knowing when a call is necessary, accidental poisonings need not have tragic results.

Keep the Number Available

It is vital that the poison control phone number be easily available on all home phones. Programmable phones – including cell phones – should have the number entered into the automatic directory, and the number should also be listed in address books for easy access. Labels with the phone number can be placed on or near telephones, especially phones in kitchens, bathrooms, garages or other locations near potentially toxic substances. Labels with the phone number should also be placed on bottles and containers that may lead to accidental poisonings, such as cleaning chemicals, medicine cabinets and other storage areas.

Calling Poison Control

There are dozens of potentially poisonous chemicals in every home that can be tempting for children to taste, including:

• Medication, especially bright-colored pills and syrups
• Cleaning chemicals
• Automotive fluids such as windshield washer solution or antifreeze
• Pesticides
• Paint

All of these chemicals require different treatment in case of accidental exposure or ingestion, and having the proper information available when calling a poison control center can make treatment easier and more effective.

Before calling the poison control center:

• Remove excess poison or chemicals by flushing skin and eyes with cool water, moving a victim to an area with fresh air, wiping out the mouth, or removing contaminated clothing.
• Find the chemical bottle for reference.
• Determine if emergency services are needed, and call paramedics or 911 if necessary first.

When calling the poison control center, it is vital to have enough information available for the specialist to provide proper advice. Callers should know:

• The victim’s age and weight, both of which can affect how quickly poisons operate
• The precise item ingested – refer to the bottle’s label for the exact name and ingredients
• An approximation of the amount of poison ingested
• How long ago the poison was ingested
• The condition of the victim – groggy, hyperactive, nauseous, etc.
• How the victim was exposed: ingestion, vapors, skin contact, etc.
• Any medical concerns such as allergies or medication the victim is taking that could interfere with the poison or treatment

Callers should remain calm and provide the specialist with as much information as possible, including a callback number in case the call is disconnected.

When Not to Call

There are two situations when a call to the poison control center is not recommended: when the emergency is more life-threatening, and when there is no emergency at all.

If a poisoning victim is have a severe reaction – seizures, collapse, loss of consciousness, not breathing, etc. – the first call should be to 911 or other emergency services. This victim will require more care than the poison control center can provide, and getting emergency help immediately is critical to averting tragedy. After the emergency services have been dispatched, the poison control center can be called for additional help.

Local poison control centers regularly field non-emergency phone calls that have nothing to do with accidental ingestion or potential poisonings. It is inappropriate to call a poison control center to ask how to use a particular chemical, inquire about proper disposal or raise other issues that are not life-threatening. Only call the number in case of emergencies to avoid tying up operators that may result in disconnected calls for other callers who need emergency assistance.

Avoid the Need to Call Poison Control

The best way to use the poison control number is to never need to call it at all. To avoid accidental poisonings:

• Keep all chemicals stored in tightly sealed containers, preferably with child-resistant caps.
• Store containers in locked or latched cabinets out of the reach of young children.
• Never leave a child unattended around open chemical containers.
• Safely dispose of unwanted or outdated chemicals.
• Do not refer to medicine as “candy,” which could make children want to take more.

In Conclusion

The poison control phone number – 1-800-222-1222 – is a toll-free, emergency number to use in case of accidental poisonings. Parents should keep the number near all phones and work to keep dangerous chemicals safe and away from children. By knowing how to use the toll-free number and how to react in case of accidental poisonings, serious injuries can easily be avoided.