Children are at particular
risk of poisoning, and will require emergency treatment and hospital admission
in severe cases. Death from poisoning is rare, but ongoing treatment is
necessary in some serious cases.
What
is a poison?
Any household product or
medicine used incorrectly can be a
poison. Poisons include:
- drugs or medicines
(includes paracetamol, cough and cold preparations, prescription medications,
sleeping tablets)
- cleaning products
(detergents, bleaches, drain cleaners)
- cosmetics (perfume,
nail polish remover, cologne, make-up)
- other chemicals such as
petrol, alcohol, cigarettes, glues, herbicides and pesticides
- poisonous plants
Poisoning can occur if the
substance is swallowed, inhaled, spilt on the skin, splashed into the eye or
injected.
Who is at risk?
Poisoning can happen to anyone, anywhere, but
is more common in children aged five years and under, with those aged between
one and three years at greatest risk.
Children are particularly at risk as they enjoy exploring and putting things in
their mouth as part of their normal development. Parents are often surprised
just how many potentially poisonous substances they have at home and the speed
with which their little one can touch, inhale or ingest something. Young
children also learn by imitation and may want to take medications just like Mum
and Dad.
You can reduce the risk of accidental poisoning by securely storing and safely
using medications and poisonous substances.
What to do if you suspect a poisoning has occurred?
If you suspect a child has been exposed to poison,
do not try to induce vomiting. Do not wait for symptoms to occur. Take the
child and the container with you to the phone and call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately
for first aid advice. It is helpful to know what the substance was and how much
of the substance was taken.
If a child
has collapsed, stopped breathing, is fitting or is suffering an anaphylactic
reaction, dial 000 for an ambulance. Do not ring the Poisons Information Centre in an emergency.
Ways to prevent poisoning:
- Store chemicals, medicines and cleaning products in a locked or
child-resistant cupboard, out of reach and out of sight of children (at least
1.5m high). Locks and lockable cabinets are available at hardware stores.
- Garden sprays, fertilisers, paints, thinners and other handyman
products should be kept in a locked cupboard in a garage or shed and out of
reach of children.
- Leave all chemicals,
medicines and cleaning products in their original containers with clear labels.
Always follow the directions for use on the label. Never transfer or store
these products in cups or soft drink bottles.
- Medicines and other poisons should not be left unattended within
children’s reach. Put all chemicals, medicines and cleaning products away
immediately after buying or using them.
- Whenever possible, purchase products with child-resistant lids or
packaging.
- Store poisons away from
food.
- Refer to medicines by
their proper names. Do not confuse children by referring to medicines as
lollies.
- Young children tend to imitate adults, so adults should avoid
taking medicines with children present.
- Clean medicine
cupboards out regularly. Take unwanted and out-of-date medicines to a pharmacy
for disposal.
- Visitor’s bags may
contain medicines. They should be kept well out of reach of children.
- Errors can occur when
medicines are administered. Taking more
than the recommended dose can be harmful so take extra care when measuring and
giving medicines.
Key points to remember:
- Install child-resistant
locks on all cupboards where you keep chemicals, medicines and cleaning
products.
- Leave all chemicals, medicines
and cleaning products in their original containers and follow the directions on
the label.
- Put all chemicals away
immediately after use.
- If your child has
swallowed something poisonous, take the container and the child to the phone
and call 13 11 26 (24 hours). In an emergency, call for an ambulance on 000.
More information
Victorian Poisons Information Centre
www.austin.org.au/poisons
13 11 26
Kidsafe Victoria
www.kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/poisoning
(03) 9036 2306
The Australian Drug Foundation
www.druginfo.adf.org.au
1300 858 584
Developed by Injury Prevention. First published
2015. Updated 2016.