The National Poisons Information Centre at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital has launched a new telephone service to advise the public, and parents in particular, on how to deal with accidents involving poisons.
Up to now, the centre has provided advice to doctors and other healthcare professionals 24 hours a day.
With a growing demand from members of the public for advice, the centre is operating a new helpline number at 01-8092166.
Dr Edel Duggan, NPIC Director, said the helpline should help improve medical outcomes and reduce the number of unnecessary visits to hospital emergency departments, especially by children.
