First Aid
First Aid Kits
Having a first aid kit for your home and/or workplace is essential. Many kits are suitable for performing basic first aid and can found for less than $20.
The HART Personal First Aid Kit is an excellent choice for home users and the HART Mini First Aid Kit great for backpacks, suitcases, and gloveboxes.
Poisoning Occurrences
If the person collapsed, stopped breathing or is having difficulty breathing, is unconscious, or does not have a pulse:
- Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away.
- Check the person for a pulse.
- Begin CPR according to the latest American Heart Association guidelines.
- If necessary, use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Continue CPR until help arrives or the patient recovers.
Inhaled poison?
- Get to fresh air right away
- Avoid breathing fumes
- Open doors and windows wide
- Call 1-800-222-1222
Poison on the skin?
- Take off any clothing the poison touched
- Rinse skin with running water for 5 to 10 minutes
- Wash gently with soap and water, and rinse
- Call 1-800-222-1222
Poison in the eyes?
- Remove any contact lenses
- Rinse eyes:
- With lukewarm (not hot) running water
- For 5 to 10 minutes
- About 2 to 3 inches from the eye
- If possible, add 1 tsp of salt for every pint, or 2 cups, of water
- Have patient blink as much as possible while rinsing
- Do not force the eyelid open
- If only one eye is poisoned, keep the poisoned eye down so the water runs away from the other eye
- Call 1-800-222-1222
Swallowed the wrong medicine or too much medicine?
- Do not give or take anything until calling for advice
- Call 1-800-222-1222
Swallowed something that’s not food or medicine?
- Do not give or take anything until calling for advice
- Call 1-800-222-1222
Note: Syrup of Ipecac is no longer being made. If you have a bottle, we recommend you keep it. Use on the advice from the Washington Poison Center, emergency department, or a physician ONLY.
American Association of Poison Control Centers
American College of Emergency Physicians
What Not To Do
Some home treatments can make things worse!
DO NOT try to gag someone with a finger or spoon. (It usually doesn’t work, and you can injure the back of the person’s throat and cause bleeding. You can also have your finger bitten!)
DO NOT give salt water or baking soda. (Too much can cause seizures and even kill someone and does not work well.)
DO NOT give mustard, raw eggs, or other home remedies. (They don’t work and can be harmful.)
Call 1-800-222-1222 for help in a poisoning.
