How to Properly Deal with Poisoning Cases at Home?

Symptoms may include:

• Dizziness
• Visual disturbances
• Nausea
• Chest pains
• Headache
• Convulsions
• Impaired speech
• Paralysis

While you wait for medical attention:

1. Call your local poison control center. Have the poison container in your hand when you call. Be prepared to give the approximate weight and age of the person poisoned. Try to find out if they have vomited. If there is a sample of vomited material, scoop it into a container and hold it-along with the poison container-for medical personnel.
2. Do not induce vomiting, unless directed by poison control and never in an unconscious person. Vomiting up strong acids, strong alkalis, and petroleum products can burn the esophagus and airway and be inhaled and absorbed into the lungs. Burns around the lips are a sign that these products have been ingested.
3. If the poison control center suggests you help the victim vomit, give syrup of ipecac with lots of water. The standard dose is 1 tablespoon (15 ml) for children and 2 (30 ml) for adults followed by 1 or 2 cups (230 or 460 ml) of water. Repeat in 20 minutes if vomiting doesn't occur. Sticking a finger or spoon in the back of the throat can also induce vomiting. Vomiting is often recommended for noncorrosive substances such as toxic plants and most drugs.
4. After vomiting, give the person 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) activated charcoal in a glass of water to adsorb remaining poisons. Since charcoal can adsorb even the syrup of ipecac, do not administer charcoal until after vomiting has occurred.
5. If the poison control center suggests diluting the poison rather than vomiting, give the victim lots of water or milk. Have them drink slowly so as not to induce vomiting.
6. If the poison control center suggests using an absorbent material, give 1-2 tablespoons of activated charcoal mixed in 1 cup (230 ml) of water

Prevention of Poisoning

Most poisoning fatalities occur in children between the ages of one and three. Aside from keeping chemicals and medicines out of their reach, here's how we can help keep them safe:

• Avoid taking medicine in front of kids. They love to imitate parents.
• Mark containers with poisonous materials clearly. That may not stop the child, but at least we'll be able to tell medical personnel what he or she ingested.
• Never put food or drink in bottles or jars that once held toxic substances
• Don't store chemicals and medicines on the same shelves as food
• Store all medicines and chemicals in a locked cabinet

Quick Fix

A universal antidote for poisoning is:

• 2 parts burnt toast (charcoal to adsorb toxins)
• 1 part milk of magnesia (alkaline to offset acids)
• 1 part strong black tea (tannic acid to offset alkaline)

Check with your poison control center before using this formula.