Poisoning and child safety

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

Poisoning can happen by swallowing a poisonous substance, spilling it on the skin, spraying or splashing it in the eye, or inhaling it. It can also happen if a child is given the wrong medicine, or the wrong dose. Always double-check the age and dosage instructions before giving any medicine to a child.

Young children cannot tell the difference between what is safe and what is dangerous, so it is your responsibility to make your home safe for them. Do not assume your child understands safety messages, telling a child that a product is dangerous is not enough to protect them.

What to do if you suspect poisoning#

If you suspect a child has been exposed to a poison, or given the wrong medicine or the wrong dose, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Contact your local poisons information centre or emergency number straight away for advice. Always check, even if you are not sure whether your child has been poisoned.

If the child or anyone else has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a fit or is having an anaphylactic reaction, immediately call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) for an ambulance.

Do not try to make the child vomit, this can do more harm than good. Staff at the poisons information centre will take a brief history of what happened and give you the appropriate advice. Many poisoning exposures in children are mild and can be safely managed at home, and they will tell you what to do. You may be advised to take your child to your local doctor or hospital.

Symptoms of poisoning#

If a child has had a significant poisoning, any symptoms depend on several factors, such as which medicine or chemical is involved and how much the child has been exposed to. Symptoms may include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• drowsiness
• falling over
• abdominal pain
• fitting (seizures)

Do not wait for symptoms to appear before getting advice.

How child poisoning happens#

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

Children are often poisoned by substances that are left unattended and within easy reach, such as items on a bench or table ready to be used, medicines in a visitor’s bag, or products kept in bedside tables. Do not assume that high cupboards are safe, as children learn to climb to reach things. A locked cabinet is the best storage option.

Children are most likely to get hold of medicines or poisons when their routine changes, for example when visiting someone’s home, moving house or going on holiday, and when products are being used or are left out to be used later.

Common poisons around the home#

Many medicines and everyday household items can poison a child, including:

• Medicines.
• Cleaning products.
• Other household products such as essential oils, pesticides, herbicides, some car products and gardening products.
• Poisonous plants and mushrooms. Poisonous plants include oleander, datura and foxglove, and some mushrooms or fungi are also poisonous. Plants in the home garden may present a poisoning risk to your child, and it is best not to grow species that are poisonous where children can reach them.

Treatment in hospital#

If your child needs to go to hospital, treatment may include:

• admission for close observation and monitoring of vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate
• blood tests
• an antidote, for some poisons

Poison-proofing your home#

The best protection against poisoning is to make sure children cannot reach any poisons or medicines. Some safety tips include:

• Check your home to make sure poisoning risks have been removed, and ask other carers, such as grandparents, to do the same.
• Store all medicines in a locked cabinet. If you carry medicines in a handbag, keep the bag 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 giving medicines, and follow the dosing instructions on the label.
• Set up a “checking system” with other carers so a child is not accidentally given a double dose of medicine.
• Store poisons out of reach and out of sight, including any kept in the refrigerator, particularly if they are brightly coloured liquids.
• Do not underestimate a child’s ability to climb and reach things.
• Check that child-resistant caps on medicine and cleaning containers are working, and that they are closed properly after use.
• Avoid taking medicines in front of children, as they may copy you. Never refer to medicines as “lollies” or sweets.
• Keep the dishwasher door closed, and do not leave dishwasher detergent within reach.
• Do not leave paintbrushes soaking 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 into another container, especially food or drink containers.

If you would like more information, a child accident prevention organisation or your local poisons information centre can provide further advice and resources, including lists of poisonous plants.

Key points#

• Accidental poisoning is common, especially among toddlers aged between one and three years.
• Plants in the home garden may also present a poisoning risk to your child.
• Household products such as essential oils, pesticides, herbicides and some car and gardening products can be poisonous.
• Symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, falling over, abdominal pain and fitting.
• If your child needs to go to hospital, treatment may include an antidote for some poisons.

Where to get help#