SAFEGUARDING AGAINST
POISONS

Every year thousands of children need medical care for poisoning from products commonly found in and around the home. Most accidental poisonings occur to children younger than five, with children aged one to three most at risk.
Why are children more likely to be poisoned?
 Young children are exploring their world and will put anything in their mouths.
They also like to imitate what others do, including taking medications.
What can be poisonous to your child?
Medicines, cleaning products, weedkillers and gardening products, plants, alcohol, car products, rat baits and many others.
When do poisonings happen?
Anytime! But especially when your normal routine changes, for example; medicines may be more accessible when someone is sick, or when visiting grandparents who take regular medications.
Extra care is also required when on holidays, moving house, having visitors and during family problems.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT POISONING?
Check every room in your home for poisonous products.
Store poisons in a locked cupboard that is at least 1.5 metres above the ground.
Return poisons to their safe storage area immediately after use.
Buy products in child resistant containers.
Always make sure that the child resistant lid is on properly after use.
Store all medicines, cleaners and chemicals in their original containers that are clearly labelled.
Use child resistant locks on cupboards or cabinets that store medicines and poisons. You can buy these at many hardware stores, or call Kids Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead on (02) 9845 3585 for more information.
Dispose of unwanted and out of date medicines. Contact your local council for details of safe disposal.
Don't call medicines "lollies".
Check that the plants in your garden are not poisonous. Ask your local nursery or call Kids Health for a fact sheet.

WHEN CALLING THE POISONS CENTRE
 Where possible bring the container or poison (e.g.. Berries, toadstool) to the telephone;
Advise the amount of the poison taken or used and time since poisoning occurred;
Do not give salt and water to make the person sick;
Follow carefully the advice given. If directed to a doctor or hospital, where possible take the container or poison with you;
Do not wait for symptoms of poisoning to develop. Telephone the Poisons Information Centre promptly.
Delay could be dangerous or fatal in some types of poisonings.

SWALLOWED POISON
 Do not try and make the patient vomit.
Pick up the container and take it to the telephone.
Call the Poisons Information Centre at once on 13 11 26.

POISON ON THE SKIN
 Remove contaminated clothing, taking care to avoid contact with the poison.
Flood the skin with cool running water.
Call the Poisons Information Centre at once on 13 11 26.

POISON IN THE EYE
 Flood the eye with water from a cup, jug or slowly running tap..
Continue for 10 - 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open.
Call the Poisons Information Centre at once on 13 11 26.

INHALED POISON
 Get the patient to fresh air quickly without placing yourself at risk.
Open doors and windows wide, if safe to do so.
Call the Poisons Information Centre at once on 13 11 26.

OTHER REASONS TO CALL THE POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE
To obtain correct first aid advice for poisoning or bites and stings.
To answer any questions you may have about preventing a poisoning, first aid for a poisoning and information
about the toxicity of products and plants.

POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE

CALL FROM ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA
24 HOURS A DAY

Information kindly provided by Kids Health and the NSW Poisons Information Centre.
Call Kids Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead on (02) 9845 3585 for more information.
or visit the website at www.chw.edu.au/parents/kidshealth