Preventing Household Poisoning in Children

Risks and Awareness

Thousands of children and infants require medical care each year due to poisoning from common household products.

• Most Vulnerable Group: Children under five, especially those aged one to three, are at the highest risk.
• UK Hospital Admissions: Approximately 15 children under five are admitted daily due to sudden poisoning incidents.

Causes of Poisoning

Young children are particularly vulnerable due to:

• Inquisitiveness and exploration leading to ingestion of household items.
• Copying behaviours, including handling dangerous products.
• Mistaking detergent capsules for toys or sweets, posing ingestion and eye irritation risks.

Symptoms of Poisoning

Serious poisoning may present with:

• Projectile vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Drowsiness or reduced consciousness
• Breathing difficulties
• Seizures

Immediate Actions for Suspected Poisoning

• Seek Medical Help: Contact emergency services immediately.
• Do Not: Allow the child to drink anything or induce vomiting.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep a sample of the substance if known.
• Unconscious Child: Attempt to wake them and encourage spitting out of pills.
• Chemical Burns: Rinse affected areas with cold water or milk.

Providing Medical Information

When seeking medical assistance, provide:

• Details of the substance ingested, timing, and quantity if known.
• Circumstances of ingestion (accidental or deliberate).
• Any observed symptoms like vomiting.

Preventing Accidents with Household Cleaning Products

• Supervise Closely: Monitor children closely in home environments.
• Secure Storage: Store chemicals out of sight and reach, ideally in locked cupboards.
• Use Original Containers: Keep products in their original labelled containers.
• Immediate Disposal: Dispose of unwanted products safely and promptly.
• Separate Storage: Store cleaning products away from food and medicine.
• Follow Instructions: Use products strictly according to label instructions.
• Avoid Mixing: Do not mix household chemicals, as this can create hazardous gases.