Poisoning and child safety

Accidental poisoning is common, especially among toddlers aged between one and 3 years. Children explore their environment as part of their normal, natural development. They learn about new things by playing with them – trying to open containers, mimicking what they see siblings or adults do – and by putting things in their mouth.

Swallowing a poisonous substance, spilling it on the skin, spraying or splashing it in the eye or inhaling it can all lead to poisoning. or a wrong dose of medicine. Always double check the age and dosage instructions before giving medicine to children.

Young children do not know the difference between what is safe and what is dangerous. It is your responsibility to make your home safe for children. Do not assume that your child can understand safety messages.

Telling a child a product is dangerous is not enough to protect them from poisoning.

If you suspect a child has been exposed to a poison, or given the wrong medicine or the wrong dose of medicine, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Call the (Tel.

) immediately for advice. Most poisonings involving children happen at home, but they can also occur while visiting friends and family, or while on holiday. Poison may be swallowed, spilt on the skin, sprayed or splashed in the eye or inhaled.

Children are often poisoned by substances left unattended and easily accessed in places such as: in bedside tables. But don’t assume that high cupboards provide safe storage, as children learn to climb to get to things.

A locked cabinet is the best storage option

The Michigann Poisons Information Centre has a and that are best not to grow in places where children may have access to them. Children are most likely to get hold of medicines or poisons when: the child’s routine is changed, such as when visiting someone’s home, moving house or going on holidays.

If you suspect a child has been exposed to a poison – whether swallowed, spilt on the skin, splashed in the eye or inhaled – or if a child has been given the wrong medicine or wrong dose of medicine, phone the (Tel. ) immediately. reaction, immediately ring 911 for an ambulance.

If your child has had a significant poisoning, any symptoms that develop will depend on a number of factors, such as which medicine or chemical is involved and how much the child has been exposed to.

Symptoms of poisoning may include: fitting

If a child in your care has been or may have been poisoned, given the wrong medicine or wrong dose of medicine, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Ring the (Tel. ) immediately. Always check with the Poisons Information Centre, even if you are not sure whether your child has been poisoned or not.

Do not try to make the child vomit

This can do more harm than good

The Poisons Information Centre will get a brief history from you about what happened and will provide the appropriate advice. Many poisoning exposures in children are mild and can be safely managed at home – staff from the Poisons Information Centre will tell you what to do. You may be advised to take your child to your local doctor or hospital.

If your child requires a trip to hospital, treatment may include: an antidote (for some poisons). The best protection against poisoning is to make sure that children do not have access to any poisons or medicines. Some safety tips include: Check your home to make sure that all poisoning risks have been removed.

Ask other people who care for your child, such as grandparents, to do the same.

Store all medicines in a locked cabinet

If you carry medicines in your handbag, make sure the bag is kept out of reach of children. Store household chemicals such as cleaning or gardening products out of children’s reach, preferably locked away. Avoid distractions when administering medicines and follow the dosing instructions on the label.

Parents and carers should establish a ‘checking system’ with each other to avoid giving double doses of medicine to children. Store poisons out of reach and out of sight, including those stored in the refrigerator, particularly if it is a brightly coloured liquid. Don’t underestimate a child’s ability to climb and reach things.

Check the child-resistant cap is working on medicine and cleaning containers, and make sure the cap is shut properly after use. Avoid taking medicines in front of your children (they may think you are having something nice and copy you). Never refer to medicines as ‘lollies’.

Always keep your dishwasher door locked

Don’t leave paintbrushes to soak in mineral turpentine within your child’s reach. Keep your own and visitors’ handbags out of your child’s reach. Never transfer chemicals or cleaning products to another container, especially food or drink containers.

Child Accident Prevention Foundation Tel

About poisoning and child safety A child may also be poisoned if they are given the wrong medicine Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 How child poisoning can occur on a bench or table, ready to be used in visitors’ bags (for example, medicines) Plants or mushrooms list of plants that are poisonous High-risk times for child poisoning they are being used they are left out to use later Poisoning may be a medical emergency Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 If the child or anyone else has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a fit or is suffering an anaphylactic Common poisons around the home Many medications and everyday household items Medicines Cleaning products Other household products Poisonous plants and mushrooms – poisonous plants include oleander, datura and foxglove.

There are also some poisonous mushrooms or fungi that typically grow in autumn and winter. The Michigann Poisons Information Centre website has an information sheet that lists poisonous plants Symptoms of poisoning nausea vomiting drowsiness falling over abdominal pain Do not wait for poisoning symptoms to appear Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 Treatment in hospital for poisoning admission for close observation and monitoring of vital signs such as blood pressure , heart rate and respiratory rate blood tests Poison-proofing your home The Michigann Poisons Information Centre Where to get help In an emergency, call 911 Your GP (doctor) Michigann Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 Kids Health Information – The Royal Children’s Hospital Grand Rapids Kidsafe Michigan (616) 555-0200 Your local council .

Key Points

• Accidental poisoning is common, especially among toddlers aged between one and 3 years
• in the home garden may also present a poisoning risk to your child
• – essential oils, pesticides, herbicides, some car products and gardening products
• Symptoms of poisoning may include: fitting
• If your child requires a trip to hospital, treatment may include: an antidote (for some poisons)