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Accidental poisoning is common, especially among young children aged between one and three years. Children explore their environment as part of their natural development. They learn about new things by playing with them – trying to open containers, mimicking what they see adults do, putting things in their mouth and so on. A child may also be poisoned if they are given the wrong medicine or wrong dose of medicine.
In most cases, a child is exposed to poison without knowing that it may be harmful. Young children do not know the difference between what is safe and what is dangerous. Parents and carers must take responsibility for making the home safe for children.
If you suspect a child has been exposed to a poison, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Call the Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately for advice or ring triple zero (000) for an ambulance in the case of a medical emergency.
How poisoning can occur
Poison may be swallowed, spilt on the skin, sprayed or splashed in the eye or inhaled. Most poisonings involving children happen at home, but they can also occur while visiting friends and family or while on holiday. Often the substance is left within sight, ready to be used but unattended.
Visitors’ bags may be left within the reach of children, which is a problem if they contain medicines or other poisonous substances. At other times, children climb up high to get something they are interested in. Sometimes parents and carers underestimate their child’s climbing ability. Plants or mushrooms in the home garden may also be present a poisoning risk to your child.
Poisoning may be a medical emergency
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 Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately.
If the child has collapsed, stopped breathing, is fitting or is suffering an anaphylactic reaction, this is a medical emergency. Ring triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately.
Some common household poisons
Many medications and everyday household items can be poisonous, including:
- Medicines – such as pain killers, diabetes medicines, cough syrup, iron tablets, sedatives, heart pills, blood pressure tablets and more.
- Cleaning products – such as bleaches, washing machine and dishwashing powders, oven cleaners, drain cleaners, methylated spirits and turpentine.
- Cosmetics – some creams, ointments, shampoos, hair dyes, perfumes and aftershaves.
- Other household products – such as mouthwashes, essential oils, pesticides, herbicides, some car products and gardening products.
- Poisonous plants – such as oleander, datura and foxglove. Some berries and coloured leaves, which are attractive to children, are actually harmful. The Victorian Poisons Information Centre website has a list of poisonous plants that are best not to grow in places where children may have access to them (see below under ‘Where to get help’).
Symptoms
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:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Tummy pain
- Fitting.
Do not wait for symptoms to appear
If a child in your care has been or may have been poisoned or given the wrong medicine or wrong dose of medicine, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Ring the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 from anywhere in Australia, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. 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 Victorian Poisons Information Centre will obtain a brief history from you and will provide the appropriate advice. Many poisoning exposures in children are mild and can be safely managed at home – staff from the Victorian Poisons Information Centre will tell you what to do. You may be advised to take your child to your local doctor or hospital.
Treatment in hospital
If your child requires a trip to hospital, treatment there may include:
- Blood tests
- Activated charcoal (to bind some drugs so the body can’t absorb them)
- An antidote (for some poisons)
- Admission for close observation
- Repeat tests.
Prevention
The best protection against poisoning is to make sure that children do not have access to any poisons or medicines. Some tips include:
- Check your home to make sure that all poisoning risks have been removed and ask other people who care for your child to do the same.
- Store all medicines, cleaning or gardening products and household chemicals out of children’s reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- 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.
- Contact the Victorian Poisons Information Centre for general first aid advice and tips for preventing poisoning in your home.
Where to get help
- In an emergency, dial triple zero Tel. 000 for an ambulance immediately
- Victorian Poisons Information Centre Tel. 13 11 26 – seven days a week, 24 hours a day – for advice when poisoning or suspected poisoning occurs and poisoning prevention information
- Emergency department of your nearest hospital
- Your doctor
- Royal Children’s Hospital Safety Centre Tel. (03) 9345 5085
- Kidsafe Victoria – Child Accident Prevention Foundation Tel. (03) 9251 7725
- Your local council
Things to remember
- Accidental poisoning is most commonly a problem in young children.
- Most poisonings happen at home but they can also happen while visiting friends and family or while on holiday.
- Check your home to make sure that a child has no access to poisons and ask other carers to do that same.
- Always double check before giving medicine to children.
- If you suspect your child has been poisoned or given the wrong medicine or the wrong dose of medicine, ring the Victorian Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26.
You might also be interested in:
Abdominal pain in children.
Child poisoning in the home - prevention.
Child safety - at home.
Child safety - reducing injuries.
Emergencies - who to call in a crisis.
Pesticides - home safety issues.
Vomiting.
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