In Brazoria County, most “oops” ingestions turn out okay — but the dangerous ones can look mild at first. If you’re unsure what it was, how much, or your child seems “off,” don’t gamble with time.
Experienced doctors
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We’re here for you
anytime, day or night.
Get the care you need
without unnecessary delays.
You don’t know what it was or how much
Your child is a toddler (small bodies = small margins)
Symptoms are getting worse, even slowly
The exposure happened minutes ago and you’re debating what to do — call now
What to do in the first 5 minutes
Take the item away and keep it out of reach.
Don’t force vomiting and don’t give “home remedies” unless you’re told to.
Call Poison Help: (800) 222-1222 — free, 24/7, nationwide.
If your child collapses, has a seizure, or can’t breathe, call 911 immediately.
Bring the container (bottle, packaging, label, photo) with you — it matters.
Poison Control vs. ER: the honest answer
Poison Help (800-222-1222) is the fastest way to get exact instructions for the exact substance — especially when your child has no symptoms yet.
The ER is the right move when symptoms are present (breathing trouble, seizure, severe sleepiness), when the ingestion is high-risk (like button batteries), or when you can’t confirm what it was.
Button batteries are different (don’t wait for symptoms)
If you suspect your child swallowed a button battery, treat it like a true emergency — it can cause serious internal injury quickly, and kids may look fine at first.
What Angleton ER can do for ingestions
When you walk into Angleton ER (Angleton, TX), we can:
Check vitals, oxygen levels, and neurologic status right away
Start IV fluids/IV medications when needed (vomiting, dehydration, toxic effects)
Monitor heart rhythm and breathing if the substance can affect them
Use on-site imaging (X-ray/CT/ultrasound when clinically appropriate) to evaluate complications (for example: aspiration concerns or certain swallowed objects)
Observe your child closely when the safest plan is monitoring over time
What to bring (this helps us move faster)
The bottle/packaging (or a clear photo of the label)
The time it happened and the best guess of how much
Your child’s weight (approximate is fine)
Any symptoms you’ve seen (vomiting, sleepiness, coughing, drooling, behavior change)
When to call 911 instead of driving
Call 911 if your child:
Is not breathing normally, turns blue, or is choking
Has a seizure, passes out, or is hard to wake
Looks severely ill and is rapidly getting worse
