Keep Activated Charcoal in the Home
Keep the toll-free poison center phone number available and call if you suspect a poisoning has occurred: (800) 222-1222.
In addition to poison proofing your home, we also recommend that you keep a bottle of activated charcoal in the home.
- Activated charcoal is a black powder that has been specially treated so that it will adsorb and bind poisons. It is very different from the charcoal used in grills or in charcoal tablets. These other forms of charcoal will not work.
- Activated charcoal works by absorbing poisons and binding them so that they are no longer able to poison the child. Activated charcoal has been used in hospital emergency rooms for poisonings for more than 20 years, and it is one of the most successful treatments available.
- The poison center now recommends that you keep a bottle of activated charcoal in homes with small children. In some cases, having a bottle of activated charcoal in the home may save you a trip to the emergency room as well as save your child from an accidental poisoning. It also is a good idea to have a bottle of activated charcoal at the grandparents' home, if the grandchildren visit frequently.
- Remember, do not give activated charcoal unless instructed to do so by the poison center or your physician.
- Activated charcoal can be bought at most local pharmacies and does not require a prescription. Using activated charcoal will not harm your child, but it may stain clothing or carpets.
- Call the poison center before use for instructions and precautions.
- The poison center continues to recommend that you keep a bottle of syrup of ipecac in the home. Ipecac is used to make a child vomit after a poisoning has occurred. In most cases, binding the poison with activated charcoal will be a more effective treatment. However, there are some substances, such as vitamins with iron, in which ipecac is still needed. Remember, do not give syrup of ipecac unless instructed to do so by the poison center or your physician.
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