Do not panic! Remain calm and call a poison centre as soon as possible

In most cases, children will require little or no treatment following an exposure to something poisonous.

• Remain calm
• Protect yourself from poisoning
• Call the Toxicology Centre on 23640402.
• Do not make child vomit (vomiting is not effective at removing a swallowed substance. Vomit can sometimes be inhaled into the lungs, causing lung injury.
• Bring the medicine or chemical container to phone if possible
• A small amount of water can be given if the substance is corrosive or irritating (household cleaners). Do not give any fluids if a child has ingested too much medicine.

If the child is sleepy or unconscious:

• Check their pulse, ensure they are breathing
• Place in recovery position
• Ring an ambulance

If the child is not breathing or does not have a pulse

• Call an ambulance
• Apply CPR

• Flush eye with room-temperature water for at least 15 minutes (do not use an eye bath or eye drops)
• Get eye examination performed at Medical Center or Hospital.

Children who need assessment at the hospital may require:

• Medical observation for a set time period
• Activated charcoal. This is sometimes given as a slurry to adsorb some of the poison from the stomach. It may not be effective in some cases.
• Monitoring of heart, lungs, breathing, fluids and salts depending on what they were poisoned by.

Sometimes more treatment might be needed, such as specific antidotes