Windshield washer fluid

Home treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING) WITHOUT DIRECTIONS FROM Poison Control!

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the poison container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Induce emesis.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Methanol is extremely toxic. As little as 2 TABLEspoons can be fatal to a child, while 2 to 8 oz. can be fatal for an adult. The ultimate outcome for the patient will depend on how much was swallowed and how soon appropriate care was given. Many windshield washer fluids are a dilute form of methanol and therefore are not as toxic as pure methanol.