What is the initial step to take in case of eye poisoning?

In the event of eye poisoning, the immediate action to take is to flush the eyeball with running water for at least 15 minutes. This step is crucial because it helps to dilute and remove the harmful substance from the eye, reducing the likelihood of serious injury or damage. Flushing the eye with water can help to wash out irritants, chemicals, or toxins, minimizing their contact with sensitive tissues and preventing further absorption.

The recommendation to flush the eye for an extensive duration—at least 15 minutes—ensures that any contaminants are thoroughly removed. This is particularly important given the rapid absorption of many harmful substances through the eye.

Other responses, such as applying eye drops or covering the eye, do not effectively address the immediate need to remove toxic materials and can potentially worsen the situation by trapping harmful substances against the eye. Contacting poison control is also an important step, but it is advised after taking immediate action to rinse the eye, as they can provide further guidance based on the specific situation.