Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission
Alabama Department of Public
Health
U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
FIRST AID TIPS
FIRST AID TIPS
The Alabama Poison Center I 2503 Phoenix Drive I Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 I FAX 205-345-7189
Swallowed
Inhaled
Eye
Skin
Injected
Bites and Stings
Know What To Do First and Why!
Poison Swallowed
Some products can be fatal if swallowed. Too much
medicine can also be life threatening... especially to
children.
• If the person is not breathing, start artificial
respiration and call 911.
• If the person is conscious, check to see if the
person can swallow.
• Do NOT make the person vomit until you have
checked with the poison center.
• In some cases vomiting can cause more damage.
• Identify what product the person swallowed, how
much and when.
• Do NOT give Syrup of Ipecac as this is no longer
recommended when something poison is ingested.
• Keep a bottle of Activated Charcoal in the home.
• But DON’T give Activated Charcoal until you have
checked with the Poison Center as it is not used in
all cases of poison ingestions.
Then call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The poison specialist can determine if further treatment
is needed.
Activated Charcoal is a fine, odorless, tasteless powder that
can be mixed with water or other liquids that can then be
used as a drink. It works like a sponge to absorb the poison.
Activated Charcoal is NOT the same as charcoal tablets,
briquettes, or charcoal antacids.
Activated Charcoal is available from your local pharmacy.
Some products can actually take your breath away
when inhaled. While some can be fatal, others may
only cause various degrees of coughing and shortness
of breath. These symptoms may worsen over time.
Know What To Do First and Why!
Poison Inhaled
• If the person is not breathing, start artificial
respiration and call 911.
• If the person is conscious, remove the person
from the area.
• Avoid breathing fumes yourself.
• Help the person to get fresh air.
• Open doors and windows wide and turn on fans
if indoors.
• Try to identify what the person inhaled and how
long the person was around the product.
Then call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The poison specialist can determine if further treatment
is needed.
Know What To Do First and Why!
Poison In Eyes
Some products are very strong and can cause
permanent injury to the eye. Others need to be treated
in the Emergency Room.
• Flood BOTH eyes with warm water (not hot).
• This can be done in the shower by directing the
shower stream to the forehead area and letting
the water run into BOTH eyes. Blink eyes open
and shut.
• Repeat for 15 minutes.
• Have the person blink as much as possible while
flooding the eyes.
• Do not force the eyelid open.
• Identify the name of the product and when this
happened.
Then call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The poison specialist can determine if further treatment
is needed.
Some products are very strong and can cause burns
to the skin. While some products can be treated at
home, others may need further treatment in the
Emergency Room.
• Remove contaminated clothing immediately.
• Identify area of skin involved.
• Rise well.
• Flood skin with running water for 10-15 minutes.
• Identify the name of the product and when this
happened.
Know What To Do First and Why!
Poison on the Skin
Then call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The poison specialist can determine if further treatment
is needed.
Some products injected into layers under the skin or
into a vein can be fatal. It is important to always call
the Poison Center if something has accidentally been
injected or if the person was trying to inflict harm to
him or herself.
• If the person is not breathing, start artificial
respiration and call 911.
• Find out the name of the product, how much was
injected and when.
• Identify symptoms the person is having.
Know What To Do First and Why!
Poison Injected
Then call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The poison specialist can determine if further treatment
is needed.
Treatment for bites and stings varies greatly depending
on what caused the symptoms. Therefore, it is always
important to call the Poison Center for specific
treatment.
• If the person is not breathing, start artificial
respiration and call 911.
• Move the person to a safe area away from
additional harm.
• Identify what caused the bite or sting and when
this occurred.
• Identify symptoms the person is having.
Know What To Do First and Why!
Bites and Stings
Then call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The poison specialist can determine if further treatment
is needed.
