Local Poison Control Resources

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Reviewed by health expert Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE

If you suspect someone has been poisoned, call the Poison Control Center at +1-800-222-1222 or call 911.

No matter how much you babyproof, it seems like tots always find something to put in their mouths. To help you be better prepared for a poison emergency, we’ve rounded up a list of local Poison Control resources and some tips on how to handle a poisoning situation.



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Poison Control Center contact information

If you think someone has been poisoned or have questions about poisons around your home, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at +1-800-222-1222. Another option is to text POISON TO 797979.

You can also use the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ triage tool on its website. While the tool can be helpful for non-emergency questions about poisons, we recommend calling the hotline. If the triage tool can’t figure out the problem, it will direct you to call the hotline anyway.

When should I call 911 instead of Poison Control?

If the person is having trouble staying awake or breathing, or if they ingested something that can cause chemical burns like lye or bleach, call 911 instead of Poison Control.

Also, if you suspect an overdose of prescription medications, it’s vital to call 911 so the person can get emergency care right away. In these situations, the medication may slow down the heart rate or respiratory rate to dangerous levels.

Local Poison Control Center contact information

No matter where you live, the Poison Control Center number is the same: +1-800-222-1222. And each state and territory has a website dedicated to local poisoning help and information. These state sites can keep you up-to-date on local health concerns and safety classes in your area.

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Combined state sites

Some states and territories use other states' sites or regional sites as their official website. If you click on a link and it takes you to an unexpected website, don’t worry. That’s the official site.

State local poison control centers

United States territory local poison control centers

Poison prevention

As your child grows, continue to baby-proof your home. Go through room-by-room and check for items that could poison toddlers and older children using our poison proofing guide.

What should you do before you call Poison Control?

If you know what poison the person swallowed or touched, always look at the label to see if there is anything to do right away. For example, certain household cleaning products labels suggest drinking milk or water to dilute the poison before calling for help.

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Don’t induce vomiting

Vomiting can do more damage than good. Don’t induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or a 911 dispatcher.¹

What to expect when calling Poison Control

Nothing will completely prepare you for a poisoning emergency, but it’s helpful knowing what to expect when you call Poison Control. Here are some questions that are common on a call:

  • What is the poison?
  • Do you have the bottle or container? If it's a prescription, you may be asked the fill date to help determine how many pills were taken.
  • How old is it? This information can help figure out how degraded the poison might be. 
  • How long ago did it happen?
  • What are the symptoms? Nausea, pain, foaming at the mouth?
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Don’t forget lead

Though lead poisoning is slower and less obvious, it can be just as devastating. Be sure to check your home for lead to prevent future problems.

Additional questions about poisoning

No, the medical community has determined that ipecac syrup is not a good remedy for poisoning.²

Get outside immediately and call 911.³

Call the Poison Center Network at +1-800-222-1222. A lick or a couple drops probably won’t hurt your child, though.

Related articles on SafeWise

Sources

  1. Kentucky Poison Control Center, “Poison Myths and Realities.” Accessed January 4, 2024.
  2. National Capital Poison Center, “Ipecac Don’t Use It.” Accessed January 4, 2024.
  3. Mayo Clinic, “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.” Accessed January 4, 2024.
  4. Texas Poison Control Center Network, “Hand Sanitizers: How Toxic Are They?” Accessed January 4, 2024.
Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina is a safety and security expert that has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. Her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.

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