Back to Top Poison Control Centers Answer questions about Poisoning 24 hours a day. Give a brief medical history of the patient. Poisons such as strong acids injure the lining of the food passage. Other poisons do not injure the lining but there is danger that the substance will be absorbed into the system and cause harm. First aid should be immediate and every second of delay causes added injury.
Poisoning ranks high as a cause of accidental in small children.
The poisons that are commonly taken are from medicine cabinets and household cleaning supplies. Following are the things to do to prevent accidental childhood poisoning. Call the poison Center first unless the patient in not breathing, unconscious or seizing. The National Response Center is a federal hotline for reporting chemical and oil spills on land or water from companies required to report under federal law, or from private citizens desiring to make such a report. Back to Top Because of the possibility of unforeseen and unpredictable events which have the potential of injuring people and destroying property, it is important to know what to do in an emergency situation before it ever happens.