Poison control for children: what to do after possible ingestion

Accidental ingestion can happen in seconds: medicine left in a bag, a dropped capsule, detergent under the sink or a product poured into a non-original bottle.

In these cases, do not wait to see whether symptoms appear. Act calmly, make the child safe and contact the appropriate service.

What to do right away

1. Move the product away from the child.
2. Check breathing, color and responsiveness.
3. Do not induce vomiting.
4. Do not give milk, water or food to "dilute" unless advised.
5. Keep the package, label or product photo.
6. Call poison control or the advised health service.

If you are in Italy, save the number of your reference poison center from an official source or ask your pediatrician. Do not search for it in panic.

Information to prepare

When you call, try to have:

• child's age and weight;
• product name;
• active ingredient or ingredients;
• possible amount;
• time of ingestion;
• current symptoms;
• vomiting, cough or sleepiness;
• package at hand.

Do not minimize or exaggerate: say what you know and what you do not know.

What not to do

• Do not wait for symptoms if the product may be dangerous.
• Do not induce vomiting.
• Do not use home remedies.
• Do not throw away the package or leftovers.
• Do not move medicines into anonymous containers.
• Do not rely only on online searches.

For home prevention, see home safety and newborn medicines.

Prevention

Keep medicines, detergents, cosmetics and supplements:

• closed;
• up high;
• out of sight;
• in original packaging;
• away from bags and bedside tables;
• separate from food.

The medication safety checklist helps you check room by room.

Useful links

• Newborn medicines
• Medicine doses and child weight
• Home safety
• Newborn health kit
• Medication safety checklist