Most poisoning accidents involve medicines, household products and cosmetics. The main reasons are the lack of adult supervision, not keeping potential poisons out of reach of children and failing to use safety caps on medicine and products bottles. Another hazard is keeping chemicals in alternative containers, such as juice and water bottles. Poisoning can cause death and serious harm to children.
More than 500 cases of poisoning in children who have consumed something at home occur each year.
How to prevent it
Storing Medicines:
- Keep medicines well out of reach, and out of sight of young children. Put them in a high cupboard fitted with a child-resistant catch, a lockable cabinet or even a lockable suitcase.
Medicines – general tips
- Keep the caps closed on medicine bottles and put all medicines away immediately; remember that while child-resistant caps may slow a child down, they are not child proof
- Keep all medicines in their original containers; take extra care with tablets in see-through packs or brightly colored tablets – they are especially tempting to children
- Take your medicine when your child isn’t around so they don’t try to copy you
Storing household chemicals and products
- Keep all household chemicals and cleaning products – including detergent tablets for the dishwasher or washing machine – out of sight and in cupboards with child-resistant catches – never under the sink or on the floor by the toilet
- Only store chemicals in their original containers - don’t put them into other containers (such as water or juice bottles) as they may be drunk by mistake
Household chemicals and products – general tips
- Look for products with child-resistant caps but remember this does not make them child-proof.
- Remember that detergent capsules come in boxes that aren’t child-resistant
- Remember that cigarettes, perfumes, aromatherapy oils and mouthwash can all be poisonous to children
