Poisoning and Possible Ingestion: What to Do Now
An independent educational resource prepared by Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP
Sources checked: August 5, 2026 | Medical review completed: August 5, 2026
This page is for general education only and does not replace individualized medical advice. This resource does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For questions about your own child, contact your child's current healthcare professional.
Magnolia Pediatrics, Valley Children's Healthcare
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If a child may have swallowed, inhaled, touched, or had a substance splashed in the eye, act promptly. In the United States, Poison Control provides free, confidential expert guidance 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222 and through webPOISONCONTROL. Do not wait for symptoms before getting help.
Urgent Warning Signs - Check This First
Call 911 for life-threatening symptoms. For other possible poison exposures, call Poison Control promptly at 1-800-222-1222 unless the situation below requires immediate emergency-department care.
CALL 911 NOW
Your child is unconscious, not breathing normally, has blue or gray lips or face, is having a seizure, is severely confused, or you believe your child is in immediate danger
Trouble breathing, choking, severe coughing, severe throat or mouth pain, drooling with inability to swallow, or sudden collapse after a possible exposure
A suspected severe allergic reaction after a medicine, food, bite, sting, or other exposure: swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat; breathing or swallowing trouble; widespread hives with vomiting, dizziness, or collapse
A child is found with a dangerous substance and cannot be safely awakened or supervised while emergency help is being arranged
GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE NOW
Known or suspected swallowed button battery or lithium coin battery, or a battery in the nose, ear, or throat. Go to an emergency department immediately; do not wait for symptoms or for Poison Control to call back
Known or suspected swallowed magnet, especially more than one or a high-powered magnet; a sharp or pointed object; water bead; or an unknown object with drooling, gagging, chest, throat, or belly pain, vomiting, or trouble swallowing
A child with a possible poisoning has persistent vomiting, severe belly pain, chest pain, chemical burns of the mouth or skin, eye pain or vision changes, severe sleepiness, new behavior changes, or looks seriously ill
Exposure to an opioid, liquid nicotine or vape product, cannabis edible or concentrate, alcohol, an unknown medicine, a caustic cleaner, gasoline or other hydrocarbon, antifreeze, pesticide, or another high-risk substance - call Poison Control while arranging urgent care
CONTACT POISON CONTROL NOW: 1-800-222-1222
Any swallowed medicine, household cleaner, cosmetic, plant, vitamin, supplement, alcohol, nicotine product, cannabis product, chemical, or unknown substance, even if the child currently seems well
A possible double dose, wrong medicine, wrong strength, repeated dose too soon, dosing error, or a child who may have taken another person's medicine
A chemical splash in the eye, on the skin, inhaled fumes, a bite or sting with a possible toxic exposure, or any exposure where you are unsure what first aid is appropriate
Poison Control will tell you whether home monitoring, a call with a healthcare professional, or emergency care is needed. Do not rely on a general internet search or a symptom-free period to decide
First Steps While You Get Help
Take the product away. If there is material in the child's mouth, have them spit it out and gently remove any visible remaining material. Save the package, container, label, or a photo for Poison Control or emergency staff
Do not make your child vomit. Do not use syrup of ipecac. Do not give food, drink, charcoal, medicine, or a home remedy unless Poison Control or emergency professionals specifically tell you to do so
For a chemical on the skin: remove contaminated clothing and rinse the skin with running lukewarm water. For a chemical in the eye: remove contact lenses if present and rinse with room-temperature water while keeping the eyelids open. Call Poison Control for the recommended rinse duration and next steps
For inhaled fumes: move to fresh air immediately if it is safe to do so. Do not enter a garage, enclosed room, or other unsafe area without emergency help
Stay with the child and monitor breathing, alertness, and symptoms while you call for guidance
Button Batteries: A Special Emergency
A button battery can cause severe internal injury quickly if it becomes lodged in the swallowing passage. A child may have few or no symptoms at first. A 'dead' battery can still be dangerous.
Go to an emergency department immediately or call 911. Tell staff that a button or lithium coin battery may have been swallowed or placed in the nose or ear
Do not induce vomiting and do not delay emergency transport to look for honey
After calling 911 and while waiting for emergency care, a child older than 12 months who can swallow liquids and may have swallowed the battery within the past 12 hours may receive 2 teaspoons of honey every 10 minutes, up to 6 doses. Do not give honey to infants under 12 months, to a child who cannot swallow safely, or after vomiting. Do not give other food or drink unless emergency professionals direct it
An absence of symptoms or uncertainty about the object does not rule out a battery. Emergency imaging is needed when ingestion is suspected
Magnets and Other Dangerous Objects
Multiple magnets or a magnet plus a metal object can attract across the bowel wall and cause a blockage, perforation, serious infection, or death. Suspected ingestion needs immediate medical assessment
High-powered magnet sets, magnetic jewelry, fake piercings, and pieces from toys are especially dangerous. Keep them out of homes with young children
Sharp objects, water beads, and large objects may also require urgent imaging or removal. Do not try to manage their passage at home without medical guidance
Preventing Poisonings
Keep medicines, vitamins, nicotine, cannabis, alcohol, cleaning products, chemicals, and batteries locked up and out of sight and reach. Child-resistant packaging is not childproof
Keep products in their original labeled containers. Do not call medicine candy or transfer chemicals into food or drink containers
Use the correct measuring device for medicine, check the label every time, compare active ingredients when using more than one product, and have one caregiver record each dose
Secure battery compartments on remotes, key fobs, toys, greeting cards, and other devices. Tape used button batteries and dispose of them promptly out of a child's reach
Save Poison Control in every caregiver's phone: 1-800-222-1222
Call Preparation
Child's age, weight, medical conditions, medicines, and current symptoms
Product name, ingredients or strength, amount possibly involved, when and how exposure occurred, and the package or a clear photo of the label
For an object: what it looks like, how many may be missing, whether it could be a battery, magnet, sharp object, water bead, or something unknown
First aid already given and whether the child has vomited, coughed, had a seizure, or has breathing, swallowing, belly, skin, or eye symptoms
Related Guides
Child Safety Checklist: Infants and Young Children
First Aid for Children's Common Injuries
Allergic Reactions, Hives and Swelling: When to Seek Care
Abdominal Pain: When to Seek Care
Sources and Medical Review
Poison Control, Need Immediate Assistance?: Read source
HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Poison Prevention & Treatment Tips for Parents: Read source
HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), What Parents Need to Know about Button Batteries and Lithium Coin Batteries: Read source
HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), How High-Powered Magnetic Toys Can Harm Children: Read source
HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Childproofing Your Home for Poisons: Read source