If the person is alert, give him or her a glass of water or milk to drink. The liquid will slow the rate at which the body absorbs the poison. If the person is weak, lethargic, unconscious or having seizures, don't give anything by mouth. If you cannot identify the poison or there are no instructions on the product label, call the local poison control center for instructions. Keep the number near your telephone.
Most phone books have the emergency number on the inside cover.
If no number is listed, call for emergency medical help. Don't induce vomiting unless directed by a poison control authority or your physician or unless the label on the poison tells you to do so. If you are told to induce vomiting in the victim, use syrup of ipecac. An alternative is to touch the back of the person's throat to initiate gagging. If you have no other alternative, have the person drink a glass of warm water containing 1 teaspoon of dried mustard or 3 teaspoons of salt.