Poison 411 – and when to call 911

Whether you’ve somehow mistaken bleach for a smoothie, downed a Tide POD or caught your toddler eating unknown medication off a hotel room floor, here’s what to do.

If the person is having life-threatening symptoms – difficulty breathing, for example, uncontrollable shaking or unconsciousness – your first call should be to 911.

If you have a poison-related question or someone has eaten, breathed or touched something potentially poisonous, call the government’s tollfree Poison Help line, 1-800-2221222.

You’ll be connected to your local poison center.

The hotline is free, private and operates 24 hours a day. There are translation services available in more than 100 languages. Expertly trained hotline staff can tell you what to do with your individual case – whether to go to the hospital, for instance, or stay at home, and whether to induce vomiting. Some substances will further endanger your health should you throw up.

The list of poisons is long, but here are some common things to be aware of: Household hazards: prescription and over-the-counter medicines, cleaning substances and small batteries. If you have young children, keep everything locked up and store purses and bags out of reach to avoid children getting into medicines, cosmetics and hand sanitizers. Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and test every six months to check if they’re working.

Pesticides like fungicides, herbicides and insecticides: common substances include bug repellent, bathroom mold-and-mildew removal agents, pet flea-and-tick treatments and algae killer for pools and fish tanks. Keep these substances in their original containers and out of sight of children.

Nature and wildlife: insect stings, toxic plants and mushrooms, poison oak, rattlesnakes and bites from spiders and ticks.

Food and drink: alcohol and contaminated foods can lead to poisoning.

Lead: This toxic metal might be present in homes built before 1978, as well as in some spices produced in other countries, recalled toys and contaminated soil.

Find more information at https:// poisonhelp.hrsa.gov.