Emergency Quick Reference: Whom to Call (911, 988, Poison Help)
In the US, call 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing, 988 for a mental health crisis, and Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for a possible poisoning, plus what to have ready.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Call 911 if someone collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened. [1] Also call 911 for the signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, eyes or tongue or difficulty breathing. [2]
Call or text 988 for a mental health crisis in the US. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential and available at any hour. [3]
Call Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222, for any possible poisoning, including a supplement, herb, essential oil or medicine. Expert help is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. [1] Do not wait for symptoms to appear. [4]
This page is information only and covers the United States. Outside the US, use local procedures to call a poison center or summon an ambulance. [1] For other countries see Poison Help by country.
Which number for which situation
| Situation | Who to contact first | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| Collapse, seizure, trouble breathing, cannot be awakened | 911 | Poison Control: call 911 immediately. [1] |
| Hives, swelling of the face, eyes or tongue, or difficulty breathing after a product or food (possible anaphylaxis) | 911 | MedlinePlus: anaphylaxis is life-threatening and needs medical attention right away. [2] See Severe allergic reactions to natural products. |
| Mental health crisis, thoughts of suicide or self-harm | 988 | The Lifeline offers call, text or chat support. [3] See Mental health crisis and natural remedies. |
| A poisoning on purpose or with self-harm intent | 988, and emergency care | Poison Control: when the intent is self-harm, immediate evaluation by a health-care provider, usually in an ER, is always advised. [1] |
| Swallowed, touched or breathed in something that may be harmful, and the person is awake and breathing | Poison Help 1-800-222-1222 | Poison Control: expert help is free, confidential and 24/7. [1] |
| A child swallowed a supplement, especially one containing iron | Poison Help 1-800-222-1222 | MedlinePlus: iron overdose is particularly dangerous for children, and symptoms may go away for a few hours, then return after a day or later. [5] See A child swallowed a supplement. |
| A plant, berry or mushroom was eaten | Poison Help 1-800-222-1222 | Poison Control's service covers a flower, leaf, berry or seed. [1] Do not rely on a photo or app. See Plant and mushroom poisoning. |
| Possible serotonin syndrome after combining a supplement and a medicine (agitation, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, increased body temperature) | Contact the provider right away; 911 if collapsing, seizing or struggling to breathe | MedlinePlus: serotonin syndrome is potentially life-threatening, symptoms start within minutes to hours, and you should contact your provider right away. [6][1] See Serotonin syndrome and other reaction signs. |
| Yellow skin or yellow whites of the eyes after using a supplement or herb | Urgent medical advice | The NHS (UK) says to ask for an urgent appointment or help if skin or the whites of the eyes look yellow. [7] See Liver injury warning signs. |
| A pet may have eaten something | An animal poison line, not the human line | Poison Control says its tool is not for pets because toxicity differs between species. [1] One national animal service says a consultation fee may apply. [8] See Pet and animal poisoning. |
While you get help
These first steps come from poison centers and health services. Poison Help can tell you what applies to the situation.- Do not make the person vomit. Poison Control says not to induce vomiting. [9] The NHS warns the person could choke and stop breathing. [10]
- Be careful with food or drink. Poison Control says a small amount of water or milk is advised only if the swallowed product is burning, irritating or caustic and the person is awake and able to swallow. [9] The NHS says not to give the person anything to eat or drink. [10] Because the advice differs, ask Poison Help before giving anything.
- In the eye: remove contact lenses and rinse with lots of room-temperature water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. [9]
- On the skin: remove contaminated clothing first, then rinse with lots of room-temperature running water for at least 15 minutes. [9]
- Breathed in: move to fresh air right away. [9]
- Do not assume a product is safe because it has no warning label. MedlinePlus says a missing label warning does not make a substance safe. [4]
- Keep the package. The NHS advises taking some of the substance or its packaging to show doctors. [10]
What to have ready when you call
MedlinePlus lists the details to have ready: [5]- the person's age, weight and condition
- the name of the product, with ingredients and strength if known
- the time it was swallowed
- the amount swallowed
See What to tell Poison Help when you call for a ready list. Poison Control also offers an online option that gives recommendations based on age, substance, amount and symptoms. [1] It says to call instead if the person is younger than 6 months or older than 79, is pregnant, is struggling with self-harm, or was exposed to more than one product. [1]
Where this page stops
The longer pages explain each situation: Poisoning: what to do first and When to call 911, Poison Help or a clinician. Neither this page nor those pages can treat a real exposure. If in doubt, call.Frequently asked questions
What number do I call for a possible poisoning from a supplement or herb?
In the US, Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. The call is routed to the correct poison center based on your location. [1] MedlinePlus also lists medicines, including over-the-counter ones, and household and outdoor plants as causes of poisoning. [4]
Should I make someone vomit after they swallow something harmful?
No. Poison Control says not to induce vomiting, and MedlinePlus says not to unless poison control or a health-care professional tells you to. [9][4]
Can I wait and see whether symptoms develop?
No. MedlinePlus says not to wait for symptoms to develop if you think someone has been poisoned. [4] With iron, symptoms may fade for hours and then return. [5]
Is the poison number for pets the same?
No. Poison Control says not to use its tool for pets, since toxicity differs between species. [1] Animal poison lines are separate, and one national service says a consultation fee may apply. [8] See Pet and animal poisoning.
What if I am not in the US?
Poison Control says to use local procedures to call a poison center or summon an ambulance. [1] Country-by-country details are on Poison Help by country. This site states only the US numbers on this page.
References
- Poison Control (America’s Poison Centers), Need Immediate Assistance. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus, Anaphylaxis. Read 2026-10-23.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus, Poisoning First Aid. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus, Iron Poisoning. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus, Serotonin Syndrome. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK), Jaundice. Read 2026-10-23.
- ASPCA, Animal Poison Control. Read 2026-10-23.
- Poison Control (America’s Poison Centers), First Aid for Poisonings. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK), Poisoning. Read 2026-10-23.