Washington Poison Center - About Calling 1-800-222-1222

1-800-222-1222

What is 1-800-222-1222?
How does 1-800-222-1222 work?
Who answers my call?
Does it have to be an emergency in order to call the Washington Poison Center?
Why do you ask so many questions when I call?
What if English is not my first language?
I just want some Mr. Yuk stickers – can I still call 1-800-222-1222?

What is 1-800-222-1222?
1-800-222-1222 is the telephone number for every poison center in the United States. Call this number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to a poison expert. Call right away if you have a poison emergency. Also call if you have a question about a poison or about poison prevention.

There is now one single telephone number for poison emergencies. BUT there is still a network of 61 poison centers around the country. When you call you will still talk to your local poison center experts. To find the name and address of the poison center that answers your calls, enter your zip code.

Have an old number for your poison center posted on your phone? Don't worry. It will still work. But when you get a chance, post and learn the new number.

How does 1-800-222-1222 work?
When you call , you are automatically connected to the poison center for your area. Your call is routed according to the area code and exchange of the phone number you are calling from.

If you call from a cell phone, you will reach a poison center. Depending on your cell phone carrier, you might reach the poison center in the area where you are or in the “home” area of your cell phone. Either poison center can help you. If you need local assistance but reach the poison center back home, the “at home” poison center can coordinate with the poison center at your current location. You will get the care and information that you need.

Who answers my call?
Your calls are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by pharmacists, nurses, and other health care providers who have received extensive training in toxicology. Moreover, board certified physician toxicologists are always available to our staff or to your physician for consultation.

Does it have to be an emergency in order to call the Poison Center?
No. You can call the Poison Center with any poison question, it does not need to be an emergency. Let us help you decide if your call is an emergency if you’re in doubt. Even if you just have a question, call us.

Why do you ask so many questions when I call?
In order to provide the most accurate treatment information, our staff needs to know certain facts:

What was taken? (exact name of product)
When it was taken? (some products act more quickly than others)
How much was taken? (in many cases, it’s the dose that makes
the poison)
Who took it? (human or animal; name, age, weight, and condition of the patient - body size makes a difference in determining a poisonous dose)
Your name (all information is kept confidential per privacy laws)
Telephone number (in certain cases, we will need to follow up with you or provide further instructions; also in case we get cut off)

What if English is not my first language?
The Washington Poison Center contracts with the Language Line to provide interpretation services in over 140 different languages. You just need to identify the language you speak – and the staff will be able to bring a translator on the line within 1-2 minutes.

I just want some Mr. Yuk stickers – can I still call 1-800-222-1222?
Yes. Just ask! Our staff will either provide you with the materials or will forward your request to our education coordinator.