Talking Points

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Programs

Objectives

  1. Students should understand that many products in their homes can be poisonous.
  2. Poisons may look, smell, or taste appealing.
  3. Poisons can enter the body by being swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or splashed in the eyes.
  4. Students should understand basic first aid for poison exposures.

Develop Interest

Ask about the Poison Help logo and what it means. Do students know that if there is a possible poisoning, they can call
1-800-222-1222 anywhere in the United States to reach a poison center?
Ask if they or someone they know has ever called a poison center.

Poison Talk

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for children under age 14. More children die each year from preventable injuries than from all childhood diseases combined. Children may be injured or killed in traffic incidents as passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists. They may also experience burns, drowning, choking, falls, and poisonings.

Each year, poison centers manage over 1 million potentially toxic exposures in children. Many of these incidents are preventable.

Discussion Points

  • What is a poison? A substance that can harm the body when someone is exposed to it.
  • Poisons are found throughout the home (medications, household cleaners), garage (insecticides, automotive products), and outdoors (plants and mushrooms).
  • Exposure can occur by swallowing (e.g., mushrooms), breathing in (e.g., fumes or smoke), skin contact (e.g., cleaners or chemicals), or eye contact (e.g., sprays).
  • Some poisons are obvious, such as cleaners. Others may look harmless. For example, medicine may look like candy, glass cleaner may resemble a sports drink, and poisonous mushrooms may look like edible ones.
  • Poisons may smell, taste, or look appealing (e.g., perfume, mouthwash, medications, colorful liquids).
  • Medications and vitamins can be dangerous if more than the recommended dose is taken. Some medications can be life-threatening even with a single tablet.
  • A person who has been poisoned may not appear sick right away. Always call the Poison Center, even if the person seems fine.
  • Keep the Poison Help number 1-800-222-1222 easily accessible.
  • Most poison exposures can be safely managed at home with guidance from a poison center.
  • Pets can also be poisoned.

What to Do if You Witness or Suspect a Poisoning

First, remove the person from the source of the poison. Then:

  • If swallowed: give small sips of water.
  • If on the skin: wash the area with soap and water.
  • If inhaled: move to fresh air.
  • If in the eyes: rinse with lukewarm water.

Tell an adult and get help right away:

Calmly explain what happened to the Poison Center specialist or emergency operator.