Poisoning and Ingestions: What to Do in the First Minutes
Children explore the world by putting things in their mouths — and every year, thousands of curious toddlers swallow medicines, cleaning products, or batteries. If it happens, what you do in the first minutes matters enormously. Read this now, and save the Poison Control number in your phone.
If your child swallowed something dangerous
Call Poison Control immediately: 1-800-222-1222 (free, confidential, 24/7, with experts for exactly this situation).
- Call 911 if your child is not breathing, having a seizure, unconscious, or you cannot wake them.
- Bring the container — the product, medicine bottle, or packaging — to the phone and to the ER. The exact name and ingredients guide treatment.
- Try to note what was swallowed, how much, and when.
What should I NOT do?
- Do NOT induce vomiting — vomiting can cause more damage (especially with corrosive cleaners or petroleum products) and risks aspiration into the lungs.
- Do NOT give food, milk, or water unless Poison Control specifically tells you to.
- Do NOT “wait and see” with button batteries, laundry pods, or unknown medicines — call right away.
- Do NOT try home remedies like salt water.
Which ingestions are the most dangerous?
- Button batteries — if swallowed, they can burn through the esophagus in as little as 2 hours. This is an immediate ER emergency. Do not wait for symptoms.
- Prescription medicines — especially blood pressure medicines, diabetes medicines, opioids, and iron tablets. Even one adult pill can be dangerous for a toddler.
- Laundry detergent pods — concentrated detergent causes mouth and eye burns and breathing problems.
- Cleaning products, bleach, drain cleaner — corrosive; do not induce vomiting.
- Cannabis edibles — increasingly common; can cause prolonged sleepiness and, rarely, seizures in small children. Be honest with the medical team — we are here to help your child, not to judge.
- Alcohol, e-cigarette liquid (nicotine), and essential oils — small amounts can be toxic to children.
How can I poison-proof my home?
- Store medicines and cleaning products up high and locked — child-resistant caps are not child-proof.
- Keep products in original containers, never in food or drink containers.
- Secure button batteries: tape battery compartments shut and store spares out of reach.
- Program Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 into every caregiver's phone today.
Related reading: vomiting & diarrhea (if vomiting occurs), urgent care or ER? (blog).
Sources
This guide was reviewed against guidance from:
Frequently asked questions
What is the Poison Control number?
1-800-222-1222 — free, confidential, available 24/7 anywhere in the US. Poison experts will tell you exactly what to do. Save it in your phone now.
Should I make my child throw up after swallowing something?
No — never induce vomiting. It can cause more injury (with corrosive substances) or send the substance into the lungs. Call Poison Control instead.
My child swallowed a button battery. What do I do?
Go to the emergency department immediately — button batteries can burn through the esophagus within hours. Do not wait for symptoms, and you can call Poison Control on the way.
Will the doctors judge me if my child swallowed my medication or an edible?
No. Emergency teams care about treating your child quickly and accurately — honest information about what was swallowed leads to better, faster care.
Reviewed by Ali Ozcan, MD, MBA
Board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician and creator of ER4Kids. This guide reflects the same trusted, evidence-based guidance Dr. Ozcan provides to families in the emergency department.
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