Poisoning first aid starts with a calm, quick assessment. A poison is any substance that can harm the body or threaten life when swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through the skin or injected. Most poisoning emergencies at home and at work involve swallowed products such as medicines, household chemicals, pesticides, plants and contaminated food. The effects depend on what the substance is, how much was taken and how long ago, so gathering that information is part of the first aid itself.
Poisoning First Aid Steps for a Conscious Person
- Make sure it is safe. Remove any remaining poison from the scene and protect yourself from fumes or contact.
- Check breathing and responsiveness using the DRABC primary survey. Start CPR if breathing stops.
- Find out what was taken. Ask the person and bystanders what, how much and when. Collect the container, label, tablets or plant sample.
- Call your poison control centre or emergency number and follow their advice. Tell them the person’s age, weight, the substance, the amount and the time.
- Rest and reassure the person, and keep them where you can watch them.
- Do not make the person vomit. Do not give salty water, soapy water or other home remedies. Inducing vomiting can cause choking and further injury, and the old syrup of ipecac is no longer recommended.
- Keep samples. Send containers, tablets, plant material and any vomit with the person to hospital in a sealed bag or container.
If the Person Is Drowsy or Unconscious
Clear the airway and follow the DRABC steps. Do not give anything by mouth. If the person is breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and call an ambulance. If mouth-to-mouth ventilation is needed, wipe away any poison from around the mouth first, and consider mouth-to-nose or a barrier device, because some poisons can harm the rescuer.
Corrosive and Non-Corrosive Poisons
Non-corrosive (non-burning) poisons include most medicines, plants, general detergents and contaminated food. Corrosive poisons burn the mouth and gullet and include drain cleaners, bleach, oven cleaners, descalers and battery acid. Petrol, kerosene and other petroleum products are in a special category because they can be inhaled into the lungs. The corrosive and petroleum types are covered in corrosive poisoning first aid, because the advice differs.
Other Routes of Poisoning
- Inhaled poisons: move to fresh air and see carbon monoxide poisoning first aid.
- Skin contact: remove contaminated clothing and flush with water, as in chemical burns first aid.
- Eye contact: irrigate as in eye burn first aid.
- Injected substances: see drug overdose first aid.
Preventing Poisoning at Home and Work
Store medicines and chemicals out of reach of children, keep them in original labelled containers, never decant into drink bottles, read safety data sheets and use protective equipment. Display the poison control and emergency numbers near the telephone and in first aid kits. Training workers in poisoning first aid ensures that the first minutes are used well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I make someone vomit after poisoning?
No. Vomiting can cause choking or burn the throat a second time. Follow poison control advice.
What should I tell the poison centre?
The person’s age and weight, the substance and amount, the time and the symptoms, and have the container in front of you.
References and Further Reading
Last updated: November 2026
Prepared by: EHS Guidelines Editorial Team
This article is general educational information and is not a substitute for accredited first aid training or professional medical care. In an emergency, call your local emergency number immediately. Emergency numbers, medicines and protocols differ between countries, so follow local guidance.
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