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# What should I do if someone is poisoned?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/what_should_i_do_if_someone_is_poisoned_1203100945/
- Published: 2010-03-12T21:44:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:19:32.000Z
- Description: Call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 in a poisoning emergency, or 911 if the victim has collapsed or is not breathing. Have the victim's age and weight, the container, the time of exposure and the address ready, and stay on the line for instructions.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Miscellaneous, Health News, #vivvo-import

**If you have a poisoning emergency, please call the Poison Help line at 1.800.222.1222.**

A poison is any substance that is harmful to your body when ingested, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Any substance can be poisonous if enough is taken.

By following simple poison prevention safety tips, you can greatly lessen the chances of accidental poisoning occurring in your home. The[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=3788&p%5Fsid=xkSZaJWj&p%5Flva=8077&ref=foodconsumer.org) has a web page with a full list of [tips to prevent poisonings](http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/poisonprevention.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org).

If a poisoning has already occurred, it is important to:

1. Remain calm
2. Call 911 if you have a poison emergency and the victim has collapsed or is not breathing. If the victim is awake and alert, dial 1.800.222.1222\. Try to have this information ready:
  - the victim's age and weight
  - the container or bottle of the poison, if available
  - the time of the poison exposure
  - the address where the poisoning occurred
3. Stay on the phone and follow the instructions from the emergency operator or poison control center.

[Poison Help](http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/?ref=foodconsumer.org) is a service of the [Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6914&p%5Fsid=xkSZaJWj&p%5Flva=8077&ref=foodconsumer.org). On this website you will find tools for teaching your community about poison prevention. You may wish to view [poison prevention tips](http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/poison%5Fwhat.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org), view answers [frequently asked questions about poisoning](http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/resources%5Fcampaign%5Ffaqs.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org), or [find your poison center](http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/poison%5Fcenter.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org).

Contact the [National Capital Poison Center](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=4239&p%5Fsid=xkSZaJWj&p%5Flva=8077&ref=foodconsumer.org) for additional information regarding poison prevention. They can also help you locate your nearest poison control center.

The [Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=4666&p%5Fsid=xkSZaJWj&p%5Flva=8077&ref=foodconsumer.org) also offers a number of [poison prevention publications](http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/pois%5Fprv.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) on their website that you may read or print.

The [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6016&p%5Fsid=xkSZaJWj&p%5Flva=8077&ref=foodconsumer.org) offers information on their website about how you can [prevent poisonings in your home](http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/poisonprevention.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org).

March 14-20, 2010, is [National Poison Prevention Week](http://www.poisonprevention.org/poison.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org), a week nationally designated to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. National Poison Prevention Week is observed during the third week in March each year.