Safety At Home

Poisoning

Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26

[st_box title=”WARNING” type=”warning”]DO NOT induce vomiting unless advised to do so by Poisons Information Centre. DO NOT give anything by mouth. Wash substances off mouth and face with water.[/st_box]

Signs & symptoms

Signs and symptoms depend on the nature of the poisons which may be ingested, inhaled, absorbed or injected into the body. They may include:

• abdominal pain
• drowsiness
• burning pains from mouth to stomach
• difficulty breathing
• tight chest
• blurred vision
• odours on breath
• change of skin colour with blueness around the lips.
• sudden collapse.

What to do

Unconscious patient

1. Follow DRSABCD.

2. Ensure the call for an ambulance has been made.

3. Call the fire brigade if the atmosphere is contaminated with smoke or gas.

Conscious patient

1. Follow DRSABCD.

2. Listen to the patient. Give reassurance but not advice.

3. Try to determine from the patient, the type of poison taken.

4. Call 13 11 26 for Poisons Information Centre.

5. Send any vomit, containers and/or suicide notes with the patient to hospital.

Source