If Your Child Swallowed Something Poisonous

If you find your child with an open or empty container of a nonfood item, medicine, cleaner, vape liquid, or another suspicious substance, your child may have been poisoned.

1. Take the substance away from your child.
2. If there is still some in the mouth, have your child spit it out if possible.
3. Wipe out the mouth gently.
4. Give a small amount of water only if advised or if instructed by Poison Control.
5. Call Poison Help right away at 1-800-222-1222.
6. Keep the container, label, or substance nearby so you can tell the poison expert exactly what may have been swallowed.

Do not try to make your child vomit, and do not use syrup of ipecac or home remedies unless Poison Control tells you to do so.

If Poison Gets on the Skin

If your child spills a chemical, cleaner, pesticide, or another harmful substance on the skin:

• remove contaminated clothing right away
• rinse the skin with lukewarm running water
• continue flushing gently for several minutes
• then call Poison Help for next steps

If the skin is burned, blistering, or extremely painful, seek immediate medical attention.

If Poison Gets in the Eyes

If a chemical or other poisonous substance gets into your child’s eyes:

• remove contact lenses if your child wears them and you can do so easily
• rinse the eye right away with lukewarm running water
• continue flushing gently for at least 15 minutes
• then call Poison Help for further instructions

Your child may resist eye rinsing, but it is important to start flushing as quickly as possible.

What to Have Ready When You Call Poison Help

• your child’s age and weight
• the name of the product or medicine
• the ingredients if listed on the label
• how much you think your child got into
• when the exposure happened
• what symptoms your child is having

Having the container or label nearby can make Poison Control guidance much more precise.

Common Poison Risks for Children

• prescription and over-the-counter medicines
• gummies, vitamins, and supplements
• cleaning products and dishwasher pods
• hand sanitizer and alcohol products
• laundry detergent packets
• nicotine and vape liquid
• button batteries and small objects
• pesticides and automotive products

Poison Emergency Resources

• Poison Help
• Online Poison Control Tool
• HealthyChildren Poison Prevention Tips

Questions About Poison Safety for Your Child?

Dyson Pediatrics helps Tucson families with poison prevention, medication safety, and guidance after urgent exposures.