Poisoning

Emergency first aid

• A person with breathing difficulties, increasing lethargy, unconsciousness or convulsions should be taken to hospital immediately. Call 112 for an ambulance.
• An unconscious person should be placed in a stable position on their side to prevent their tongue or vomit from blocking their throat and causing them to choke.
• If the person is breathing poorly, you may need to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Do not induce vomiting

Never induce vomiting without first contacting the Poison Information Centre. Vomiting is rarely necessary and can make the injury worse.

Medical charcoal can help - but ask first

The Poisons Information Centre ("Giftinformationscentralen") may advise you to give medical charcoal. Charcoal reduces the amount of poison that enters the body because it binds to many poisonous substances.

Never give charcoal without first consulting the Poisons Information Centre. It is sometimes inappropriate to give charcoal to a poisoned person.

It is a good idea to keep medical charcoal at home as part of your own emergency kit. It is available from most pharmacies.

In less urgent situations

In less urgent cases, call the Poisons Information Centre on 010-456 67 00, 24 hours a day. During the day, they will answer general and preventative questions about poisoning.

Preventing poisoning

Young children often use their mouths to explore their surroundings and like to look for things in drawers and behind cupboard doors. Always keep dangerous substances safe.