 How can I be prepared for a poison emergency? |
Keep the number of the Poison Center hotline near every phone: 109. Be prepared to give the poison center specialist the following information:
- The victim's age & weight.
- Existing health conditions or problems.
- The type and amount of substance if known and way of exposure.
|
| I think my child drank something poisonous! What should I do? |
Remain calm. Not all medicines and household products are poisonous. Follow the label instructions on the household bottle and call the poison center hotline. For medicines call the hotline immediately. In all cases don't wait for symptoms to appear and call the Poison Center right away. |
| Snake bites/scorpion stings, are they venomous? |
Yes, some of them. Be aware of WHERE SCORPIONS HIDE! At day time, scorpions hide under stones or rocks outdoors, basements, closets and other dark quiet places indoors. Remember that most snake bites, even from poisonous snakes are not fatal, and many adult venomous snakes deliver "dry bites" containing no venom, since they prefer to warn larger animals away without wasting the venom they need for their next meal. |
| What about poisonous plants? |
Safe indoor and outdoor plants are an important consideration. One should learn the names of all plants at home and yard as the poison center cannot identify them by phone, any local garden store can help. |
| What are the most common poisons in Jordan? |
According to the poison center statistics:
- Pain medicines (analgesics) which can be over-the-counter or prescribed. Examples include acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Bites/stings e.g. snakes, scorpions and insects.
- Household cleaning products.
- Gases.
- Hypnotics, sedatives and antipsychotics.
- Pesticides.
|
| What are the most dangerous poisons? |
Be aware that the most common poisons are not necessarily the most dangerous ones. You could find the following dangerous poisons at your home:
- Corrosive household products like drain openers, toilet bowel and oven cleaners.
- Some medicines.
- Car antifreeze.
- Fuels such as kerosene, gasoline.
- Pesticides.
|
| What is a poison? |
A poison is any product or substance that can cause injury, illness or even death if it is used in the wrong way, by the wrong person, or in the wrong amount. Poisons can enter the body through the eyes/ears, ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin. Examples include some household products, chemicals around you, drugs (prescription and over-the-counter), plants, snake bites and scorpion stings. Poison treatment depends on the substance: if there are treatment instructions on the substance's container and you are sure it contained no other item, follow those directions immediately and always contact your Poison Center if you are concerned about possible poison ingestion. |
| Why is your poison center important in your community? |
Besides saving lives, poison centers are as cost effective as childhood immunizations. Poison centers eliminate unnecessary physician office visits, hospital admissions, lab testing and ambulance runs. This is realized for every case of long-term hemodialysis, neurologic impairment, or disability which is prevented. |
| Why should I call the poison center? |
Poison information specialists are providing this service 24hours a day, 7days a week, 365 days a year. Their help is fast, free and confidential. Besides, many poison exposures can be treated at home rather than going to the emergency room. |