Take steps to protect your child from poisons
Each year, almost 3000 children present to hospital emergency departments around the country as a result of unintentional poisoning, and the Poisons Information Centre receives 140,000 calls from concerned parents around Australia.
Data from 1999-2003, shows that there was an average of 5 child deaths due to poisoning every year in Australia*. The majority of unintentional poisoning incidents occur to children in the 1-4 year age group**.
Toddlers are most at risk
As children become increasingly mobile they are eager to explore their world. They will start to put everything in their mouth, and discover previously inaccessible cupboards, handbags and storage spaces. They are curious yet unaware of the dangers of medications and chemicals – potentially a lethal combination.
Leading cause of poisoning
Parents are often surprised to find that medicines are the most common causes of child poisoning, with paracetamol at the top of the poisons list along with cough syrup, heart pills, sedatives and blood pressure. Children often mistake pills as lollies. Chest rubs and vaporiser fluids that contain camphor are also dangerous to children.
Accidental poisoning
Poisoning typically occurs when medicines and other potentially poisonous products are being used, or before they are put away. Unintentional poisoning is most likely to occur due to unintended access or accidental overdose. For example, accidental paracetamol overdose can occur when young children are given incorrect dosage, or the time left between doses is incorrect.
Changes to normal routines can heighten the risk of unintentional poisoning. For example, visitors may hang their bags on chairs, or leave them in easily accessible places such as the floor. This greatly increases the chance of a crawling baby or toddler accessing medicines or poisons kept in handbags. Grandparents may have a number of medications for such ailments as heart conditions or blood pressure contained in their handbags.
What you can do to reduce the risk of poisoning
Parents/carers need to identify the potential poisons in and around the home and keep them out of reach of children. Tips to help ‘poison proof’ your home include:
- Store poisons in a lockable cupboard that is at least 1.5m off the ground.
- Ensure that a child can’t climb draws or furniture and that the poisons cupboard is out of reach.
- Use child resistant locks on cupboards and cabinets that store poisonous products.
- Do not leave medications on bench tops or bedside tables.
- Keep poisons in their original, labelled container.
- Do not leave the dishwasher door open, as residual detergent can be harmful.
- Check that your house and garden are free of poisonous plants, or that they are out of reach.
- Make sure that sheds and garages are locked and not accessible to children.
- Model safe behaviour and never refer to medicines as lollies .
- Avoid taking medication in front of your children and store it away immediately after use.
- Have visitors store their handbags or luggage out of reach of children.
- Administer medication in a well lit room. Make sure that the label is legible and that the medication is given according to instructions.
- Keep the Poisons Information Centre number, 13 11 26 close to the phone. If you suspect a poisoning has occurred, take the child and the product with you to the phone.
- Encourage at least one member of the family to successfully complete a first aid course.
- Talk to older children about the emergency services and calling ‘000’ if a serious health problem develops.
For further information, please contact Kidsafe in your state or territory, or visit the website at www.kidsafe.com.au.
*ABS, 2005, Australian Social Trends 4102.0
**NISU, 2007, Hospital Separations Due to Injury and Poisoning, Australia2003-04
For more information head to Kidsafe Australia.
