1) Around 30,000 poisoning incidents per year involve young children under age 2, over half of which are caused by accidental ingestion of medicines that were improperly stored. 2) For both swallowed chemicals and drug poisonings, the first aid is to not induce vomiting and instead give sips of water or milk, examine any containers for information, and call emergency services if unconscious. 3) Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency medical care, with signs including rash, breathing issues, and potentially loss of consciousness.

1. Emergency First Aid
for Children
9. Poisoning

2. "Around 30,000 poisoning incidents a year
involve infants and toddlers. More than half
of the cases involve medicines*. It’s
important that anyone looking after a child
remembers to keep medicines locked
away."
* DTI figures for 1999

3. Swallowed Chemicals
Treatment
• Wipe away any residual
chemical around the mouth and
face
• Casualty’s lips may be burned or
discoloured so give frequent sips
of cold water or milk
• Find out what chemical was
swallowed (show container to the
Doctor)
DO NOT induce vomiting
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4. Drug Poisoning
DO NOT induce vomiting
Treatment – Conscious casualty
• Talk calmly to the casualty, try to find out
when they took the medicine and how
much they swallowed.
• Examine the label on the medicine bottle
and give the information to they doctor.

5. Drug Poisoning
Treatment – Unconscious casualty
• Call an ambulance
• Open the casualty’s mouth – pick out
any drugs you can see
• Open the airway – follow ABCs (if
breathing place in recovery position).
• Try to find out what drugs have been
swallowed and the quantity.

6. Anaphylactic Shock
• Is a massive allergic reaction that can
develop a short time after contact with a
trigger substance – which may be a
particular drug, the sting of a particular
insect, or the ingestion of a particular food.
• If untreated can kill
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7. Anaphylactic Shock
Signs & Symptoms
• Intensely itchy rash, often with white raised areas
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Extreme anxiety, including sense of imminent death
• Swollen, face, lips, tongue and throat
• Rapid pulse
• Puffy eyes
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Wheezing, tight chest or breathing difficulty
• Abdominal pain, feelings of nausea
• Faintness
• Loss of consciousness
CALL AN AMBULANCE
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8. Alcohol Poisoning
Recognising:
• Strong smell of alcohol
• Flushed and moist face
• Slurred speech
• Staggering
• Deep noisy breath
• Nausea
• Bounding pulse

9. Alcohol Poisoning
• Call a doctor
• Allow casualty to rest
• Place bowl nearby in case they are sick
• If casualty falls asleep check to make sure
they can be easily roused.
• If unconscious, follow ABCs and if
breathing place in recovery position.

10. Plant Poisoning
DO NOT induce vomiting.
If casualty is sick, show a sample to the Doctor
Treatment
• Try to find out what the casualty has
eaten, keep a sample to show the Doctor
• Look inside their mouth – pick out any
remaining pieces of plant.
• If unconscious, follow ABCs and if
breathing place in recovery position.
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11. Emergency First Aid
for Children
End of Section