Toxicological emergencies

01 — Poison Control

One number covers all poisoning questions in the United States. You do not need to be in crisis to call.

The American Red Cross directs people to call the National Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222) for any suspected poisoning where the person is alert and responsive. Poison control specialists will ask what was taken, how much, when, and the person's weight, and will advise on whether home observation is appropriate or emergency care is needed. Post this number where it is easy to find before an emergency happens.

Call 911 directly, without calling Poison Control first, if the person is unconscious, is having a seizure, is unable to breathe, or cannot be awakened. These are signs the poisoning is already severe enough to require immediate emergency response.

02 — Carbon monoxide poisoning

Get outside immediately. CO is colorless and odorless — by the time symptoms appear, the gas has already been building up.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced by incomplete combustion of fuel. Sources include gas furnaces, water heaters, generators, vehicle exhaust in enclosed spaces, gas stoves, and charcoal or propane grills used indoors. CO displaces oxygen in the bloodstream. Because it is colorless and odorless, poisoning can progress before anyone realizes what is happening. Multiple people in the same space becoming ill simultaneously is a classic pattern.

Carbon monoxide symptoms:

• Headache (most common first sign)
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Weakness or fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Chest pain
• Loss of consciousness (severe)

The action sequence from the Red Cross is clear: if CO poisoning is suspected, get outside to fresh air immediately, and then call 911. Do not go back inside for any reason until emergency responders confirm it is safe. If the CO alarm activates, treat it as a real emergency every time, not a false alarm to investigate.

People who are unconscious in a CO-contaminated environment should be removed by emergency responders with breathing equipment, not by bystanders who may become incapacitated themselves. Call 911 and report that CO is suspected.

03 — Smoke inhalation and contaminated water

Smoke inhalation warrants medical evaluation even when the person feels fine. Contaminated water ingestion requires Poison Control, not induced vomiting.

Smoke inhalation during a fire exposes the airway to particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and toxic gases from burning materials. Initial symptoms may be mild — coughing, a sore throat, or slight shortness of breath — but airway swelling and pulmonary injury can develop hours after exposure. Anyone who has been in a structure fire, been in a space with heavy smoke, or has facial burns, singed eyebrows or nasal hairs, or soot around the nose and mouth should receive medical evaluation, even if they feel well at the time.

Symptoms that indicate more serious smoke inhalation and require immediate emergency care include severe coughing, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, stridor (a high-pitched breathing sound), worsening chest pain, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Call 911 for any of these. Move the person to fresh air and loosen anything around the neck.

For suspected contaminated water ingestion, the Red Cross and Poison Control guidance is the same as for other ingested poisons: call 1-800-222-1222 for direction, do not give anything to eat or drink unless told to, and do not induce vomiting. If the water ingestion was accidental and the person is alert, Poison Control can help assess the level of risk based on the type of contamination and amount ingested. If the person develops serious symptoms after drinking contaminated water, call 911.