Accidental poisoning in children: What to do in an emergency
What it's about:
A moment’s inattention and the next thing you know, your child is sucking on a colourful bottle of cleaning product or putting a poisonous berry in their mouth. In such cases, poison hotlines (also known as Poison Centres) can help. In future, your data will be centrally collected in the German Poisoning Register (DVR), which is due to be established in 2026 at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment). The data will be used, among other things, to identify hazardous trends at an early stage and prevent poisonings. For even though poisoning incidents usually have a mild outcome, in severe cases they can cause lasting damage or even prove fatal. If in doubt, therefore, seek advice from a poison information centre in the event of a possible poisoning. Moreover, myths about what to do in the event of a possible poisoning still circulate in many households. Dr David Steindl explains in the latest episode of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment science podcast “Risk” why well-intentioned measures such as inducing vomiting can actually cause further harm. “You should really never actively induce vomiting,” emphasises the head of the Charité’s poison emergency hotline, “as inserting a finger into the throat can form injuries to the throat area”.
Even supposed home remedies such as salt water or milk are risky. Highly concentrated salt solutions can cause children to suffer from salt poisoning. Milk is a fatty liquid and can cause harmful substances to dissolve, thereby allowing them to be taken up even more effectively.
From harmless to life-threatening
Many poisoning enquiries received by the poison control centre relate to everyday situations in the home. It is particularly common for children to get their hands on cleaning products or other household items. Dr Steindl explains that products which merely cause foaming generally do not result in serious health consequences. In many cases, it is sufficient to give the child something to reduce the foam and monitor them at home: “And things that can reduce foam are actually very simple items, such as a teaspoon of butter or other very fatty foods,” explains Steindl.
However, particular caution is required with corrosive and various other products classified as hazardous – if in doubt, always contact a poison information centre for advice . Swift action is also crucial if button cells are swallowed, as they can cause chemical burns and even perforations, particularly if they become lodged in the oesophagus – in such cases, medical advice should always be sought immediately.
What to do if you suspect poisoning or in an emergency
Staying calm is the most important first step. “Parents’ anxiety, worry and fear are quickly passed on to their children,” says David Steindl. This makes the situation even more difficult. It is crucial to observe the child: Are they breathing normally? Are they awake and responsive? Are they showing any unusual reactions? Only then should further steps be taken. The poison control centre can provide an initial assessment and make recommendations based on just a few details. The UFI code on the label is also helpful here. This allows the poison control centre to quickly and clearly identify the product in question and its ingredients. UFI stands for “Unique Formula Identifier”. Steindl points out “that it makes sense to check where the UFI is located on the packaging whilst you are calm, so that you can find the code quickly in a stressful emergency situation.”
If there are signs of a life-threatening illness or injury in a child, the emergency services (112) should be called immediately. “Especially if the child is no longer fully conscious or unable to respond properly. If they are clearly unable to breathe normally and are no longer moving on their own,” explains Steindl. In all other cases, the relevant poison control centre can provide quick and straightforward assistance.
The German Poison Register: Collecting data, saving lives
Since early 2026, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has been compiling the DVR, a central database on poisoning incidents. In future, this will bring together poisoning reports from Poison Centres, employers’ liability insurance associations and medical communications. Through the systematic evaluation of the data, preventive measures can be improved, warnings issued more quickly and health risks identified at an early stage. In this way, the register makes an important contribution to preventing poisoning incidents and enabling a faster response in an emergency.
Link to the full podcast episode (in German):
Quotes and audio clips from the podcast episode may be used freely provided the source is cited.
About “risk” and “risk kompakt”
Daily newspapers, news portals and social media posts are constantly warning of new health hazards: plasticisers in sun creams, microplastics in the body or alleged pollutants in food. What is actually behind these alleged hazards? How great is the risk to me personally? In our podcast series “Risk” and “Risk kompakt”, we get to the bottom of such topics. Calmly, scientifically sound and easy to understand. In “Risk”, this takes the form of relaxed, half-hour-long conversations. “Risk kompakt”, on the other hand, focuses on the core of a story and explains the most important facts and background using direct quotes from experts.
Further information on the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment website regarding poisoning
Questions and answers about the German Poisoning Register
External Link:https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/service/frequently-asked-questions/topic/the-german-poisoning-registry-collecting-data-saving-lives
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment press releases: German Poisoning Register goes live
External Link:https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/press-release/german-poisoning-register-goes-live/
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment app: Poisoning incidents involving children
External Link:https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/press-office/bfr-apps/
Questions and answers about the UFI code
External Link:https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/service/frequently-asked-questions/topic/quick-help-in-cases-of-poisoning-accidents-thanks-to-the-ufi-code/
About the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). It protects people's health preventively in the fields of public health and veterinary public health. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment provides advice to the Federal Government as well as the Federal States (‘Laender’) on questions related to food, feed, chemical and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research on topics closely related to its assessment tasks.