What should I do if my child swallows something that could be poisonous?

First, get the rest of whatever your child has swallowed away from her. Then try to make her spit out anything left in her mouth. Keep a sample (or what's left in the container, if there is one) in case it's needed to identify the poison.

Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe throat pain
  • Burns on the lips or mouth
  • Convulsions
  • Unconsciousness
  • Extreme sleepiness

Do not try to make your child vomit. If your child has swallowed a strong acid, such as toilet bowl cleaner, or a strong alkali, such as drain or oven cleaner, vomiting could further injure her by bringing the burning substance back up through her throat and mouth.

What if my child doesn't seem to be seriously ill?

If your child doesn't have any of the serious symptoms listed above, call your local poison control center. (Do not assume that he is fine. Some dangerous substances won't cause a reaction immediately.)

If you don't have the number handy, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222 to be automatically redirected to your local poison control center.

Experts at the poison center will need to know your child's approximate weight, any medical conditions he may have, any medications he's taking, and as much information about the substance he swallowed as you can give.

If possible, have the container with you when you make the call. The poison center may need to know the ingredients listed on the label. If your child has swallowed something like part of a plant, describe it as completely as you can.

If your child has swallowed prescription or over-the-counter medication, have the container handy so you can provide all the necessary information. If you can, estimate the maximum number of pills your child could have swallowed by subtracting any pills you can account for from the original number in the bottle.

Experts used to tell parents to keep syrup of ipecac on hand for poisoning emergencies, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) no longer recommends it. Ipecac causes a child to vomit, which isn't an effective treatment for poisoning and may severely injure a child who has ingested a caustic substance. (Activated charcoal is the standard treatment for poisoning in children, though only a healthcare professional is qualified to give it to your child.)