Child safety: preventing poisoning
Poisoning is a common cause of non-fatal accidents in the home. It’s also a common reason children need medical attention. Recent figures from the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia estimate that about 50 children per week in Australia are admitted to hospital because of poisoning, and between 5 and 10 children per year die from it.
One in 3 child poisonings in Australia are caused by medicines, including paracetamol, cough and cold medicines and antiseptics. The other main culprits are common household products such as cleaners, bleaches, detergents, perfumes, aftershaves and pesticides. Children from the country have an added risk in that they may be exposed to the range of chemical and agricultural products commonly found on farms.
If your child has accidentally swallowed a harmful substance, symptoms will depend on what’s been ingested, the amount of it and the child’s own bodily constitution. Some poisons are weak and cause only mild irritation and a child needs to take a large amount in order to fall ill. Other poisons are strong and extremely potent and only a small drop can cause death.
Poisons Information Centre
Telephone 13 11 26
24 hours a day
7 days a week
If you know or suspect your child (or anyone else) has been exposed to a poison, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (from anywhere in Australia) for first aid and treatment advice. This service is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Keep this number by the telephone at all times.
Caustic substances
Some types of poisonings need immediate emergency treatment. These poisonings include ingestion of strong acids or alkalis (drain cleaner, dishwashing liquid, toilet bowl cleaner etc). These substances burn and can cause major damage to the mouth, oesophagus (gullet) and stomach. If your child is affected, call the Poisons Information Centre immediately. Your child will need to be taken to a hospital promptly.
What to do if your child has been exposed to a poison
Poison on the skin
- Remove any clothing that has been contaminated. Try not to let the clothing touch the skin further.
- Flood the skin with cool running water continuously.
- Wash gently with soap and water and rinse well.
- Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26).
Poison in the eye
- Hold the eyelids open, and flood the eye continuously with water from a slowly running tap, cup or jug.
- Do this for 10-15 minutes.
- Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26).
Poison that’s been breathed in
- Help the child to fresh air quickly.
- Open doors and windows wide, if it’s safe to do so.
- Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26).
Poison that’s been swallowed
- Find the container so that you know what the child has swallowed.
- Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26).
- Do not try to make the child vomit.
Preventing poisoning
It is easy to prevent most types of childhood poisoning by removing the poisons from where children are likely to access them.
Medicines
- Store all medicines out of reach of children, in a high cupboard if possible (at least 1.5 metres off the ground), with a lock on it.
- Replace medicines in the safe storage area straight after the dose has been taken or given.
- Ask for, and buy, medicines in child-resistant containers (strip or blister packs, or ‘push and turn’ lids on bottles).
- When using the medicine, follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions exactly. Read the labels on the medicine.
- Don’t confuse children by referring to medicines as ‘lollies’.
- Make sure visitors to your home don’t leave bags containing tablets lying around.
- When using your own medicine, try to avoid taking it in your children’s presence so that they don’t copy you.
Household products and chemicals
- Always read the labels on the substances regarding safe use and storage.
- Choose cleaning and chemical products with child-resistant tops and caps, etc.
- Dispose of chemical products that are no longer used — check your cupboard for ones that are out of date.
- Store all dangerous chemicals in a cupboard, preferably with a lock on it, out of reach of children.
- Keep alcohol, perfumes, hair sprays, shoe polish, nail polish removers and mouthwash out of reach.
- Use and leave products in their original containers and don’t decant them into other containers, such as drink bottles.
- Keep children away from the dishwasher when loading it and close the machine straight away afterwards. Remove any built-up sludge or caking of powder in or near the dispenser.
- Lock gardening and motor vehicle products away in a shed or other secure area.
Poisonous plants
You can find out if any of the plants in your garden are poisonous by contacting the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. Remove any such plants or do not grow them if you have young children. Some of the common plants that may be harmful include:
- angel’s trumpet (datura);
- oleander;
- rhus;
- lantana;
- arum lily;
- deadly nightshade;
- foxglove; and
- white cedar.
Plants with coloured leaves, petals and especially berries may be attractive to children and dangerous. If you are unsure, remove them.
Venomous creatures
- Teach your children never to touch snakes, spiders, wasps, bees or ants.
- Encourage them to wear appropriate footwear at all times.
- Make sure your children’s outdoor play areas are cleared of rubbish and the grass is mown.
Last Reviewed: 12 June 2001
