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Poison Center Helpline 1-800-222-1222

When to Call IPC

A trusted resource, IPC is here to help 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Find out when to call the IPC helpline—whether you’re calling for yourself or a loved one, or you’re a healthcare provider, law enforcement officer or first responder.

IPC Is Here to Help

By calling the IPC helpline (1-800-222-1222) you’ll receive expert advice on the topics listed below and for your poisoning concerns. Calls are free and confidential.

  • Accidental Pediatric Ingestions: Prescription and over-the-counter medications, cleaning products, cosmetics, automotive fluids, hydrocarbons, plants, and anything else!
  • Bites and Stings: Spiders, bees, wasps, animals (bats, skunks, raccoons, pets), poisonous or non-poisonous snakes
  • Dermal Exposures: Skin contamination with caustics or other chemicals
  • Eye Exposures: Any substance that gets in the eye
  • Foodborne Illnesses: Bacterial food poisoning, botulism, fish poisoning, contaminants
  • Foreign Body Ingestions: Batteries, toys, glass, magnets
  • Hazardous Materials: Chemical spills and environmental releases
  • Inhalation Exposures: Irritant gases, and systemic poisons such as carbon monoxide
  • Biological or Chemical Agents: Biological and chemical incidents or nuclear radioactivity
  • Medication Errors: Wrong medication, too much medication, medication given to the wrong person, drug-drug or drug-food interactions
  • Poison Prevention: Educational materials (literature, stickers, magnets) and free online education and continuing education credit
  • Substance Abuse: Use of drugs or inhalants for recreation
  • Suicides: Intentional self-harm attempts using drug or non-drug agents

Here when you need us

75k Total cases managed yearly
39% Cases involving children ages 5 or under
90% Cases from the public resolved over the phone

Poison Center HelplineCalls are free and confidential.

  1. In Case of Emergency

    Call 911 if someone is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing.

  2. Remain Calm

    Most poison emergencies can be resolved quickly over the phone.

  3. Call the Helpline

    Call 1-800-222-1222 if you are concerned that you or someone else has been exposed to a potentially harmful substance.