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Someone swallowed or breathed in something harmful

FirstCall Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. If the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be woken up, call 911.

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222Call 911

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or use their free online tool.

  1. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or use the webPOISONCONTROL tool at poison.org. Both are free and confidential (Poison Control).
  2. Call 911 right away if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be woken up (Poison Control).
  3. Swallowed something? Don't try to make them vomit (Poison Control).
  4. In the eye: remove contact lenses and rinse with lots of room-temperature water for 15 to 20 minutes. On the skin: take off anything with the spill on it and rinse for at least 15 minutes (Poison Control).
  5. Breathed something in? Move to fresh air right away (Poison Control).
Watch for carbon monoxide. Headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach and confusion can be signs. You can't see or smell it (CDC). Get to fresh air and call 911.

Good to know

  • Medicines are the most common kind of poison exposure Poison Control handles (Poison Control).

When things calm down: Stocking a first-aid kit

Sources

  1. Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center) Poison Control
  2. Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center) First aid for poisonings
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Carbon monoxide poisoning basics

Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?