Introduction

Many common household products are poisonous to children, including:

  • alcohol
  • batteries
  • cleaning products – sprays, liquids, powders and pods
  • essential oils
  • fragrances and air fresheners
  • gardening products – fertiliser, weed killer, pesticides
  • glue and craft products like epoxy resin
  • hand sanitiser
  • insect spray
  • magnets
  • makeup and cosmetics
  • pharmacy medicine
  • vapes and e-cigarettes.

Poison is any substance that can cause harm to your body. Poisoning is when a child becomes sick from swallowing, breathing in or touching a poison.

Poisoning is one of the most common childhood injuries. Children between one and three years old are at a higher risk of accidental poisoning in the home.

Young children have a higher risk of poisoning because they:

  • are learning to explore their environment
  • put things in their mouth to learn about taste and texture
  • learn by copying what they see adults doing.

Accidental poisonings are more likely to happen when:

  • poisonous items like medicine and cleaning products are left out after use
  • medicines are kept in handbags, within easy reach, on bedside tables or in the fridge
  • regular family routine is changed during holidays, moving house or having visitors
  • chemicals or cleaning products are taken out of their original containers and put into decorative or everyday containers like lunchboxes
  • children are left unsupervised in areas where poisons are more likely to be, like the bathroom.

 Signs and symptoms

 Symptoms of poisoning will depend on:

  • the type of poison
  • the amount of poison
  • whether it was swallowed, breathed in or touched.

Symptoms can include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • drowsiness
  • abdominal pain
  • collapsing
  • seizures or fits
  • difficulty breathing.

Some poisons are highly toxic. This means that only a very small amount can cause severe illness and death.

If you think your child has swallowed, breathed in, or touched a poison, you must act immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to show up.

Call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for immediate support. They will give you information about any first aid you need to do and tell you which emergency department to go to.

If possible, take a photo or write down details of the product your child has had contact with.

Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if your child has severe symptoms like:

  • difficulty breathing
  • losing consciousness or passing out
  • chest pain.

Give as much information as possible about the poison to the phone operator and follow their instructions until the ambulance arrives.

Diagnosis

Your child’s treatment team in the emergency department will diagnose your child based on: 

  • symptoms they are showing
  • the type and amount of poison
  • any relevant tests or scans. 

Treatment

Call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for immediate support. They will give you information about any first aid you need to do and tell you which emergency department to go to.

First aid

For poisons that were swallowed, including batteries and magnets:

  • do not try to make your child vomit
  • do not let your child eat or drink until you have spoken to the NSW Poisons Information Centre
  • stay close to your child and watch for any symptoms.

For poisons that have touched your child’s skin:

  • remove any clothing that has the poison on it, taking care to avoid it touching your child’s skin
  • wash the skin with cool, running water
  • stay close to your child and watch for any symptoms.

For poisons that have touched your child’s eyes:

  • hold the eyelids open and flush for 10-15 minutes with clean water from 
    • a jug
    • under a slow-running tap
    • under a shower
  • stay close to your child and watch for any symptoms.

For poisons that have been breathed in:

  • move your child and any others to an area with fresh air as soon as possible if it is safe to do so
  • open doors and windows if it is safe to do so
  • stay close to your child and watch for any symptoms.

Treatment in hospital

How poisoning is treated in hospital will depend on:

  • the type of poison
  • the amount of poison
  • whether it was swallowed, breathed in or touched
  • the symptoms your child is showing.

Your child’s treatment team will work to:

  • keep airways open and breathing stable
  • keep blood pressure and heart rate stable
  • keep your child conscious
  • treat any symptoms
  • remove or lower the impact of the poison.

 Management

Preventing poisoning

Household poisons can include everyday products like:

  • cleaning products
  • medicines
  • insect sprays.

Lower the risk of poisoning by making sure that:

  • products are stored in cupboards that can be locked and are out of reach of children
  • products are used carefully, following the instructions and returned to their storage spot immediately after use
  • products are clearly labelled and kept in their original packaging
  • lids and seals are closed securely after use
  • rooms are well-ventilated, especially when spraying products
  • medicine is given carefully, out of sight of children where possible, following storage and dosage instructions from your pharmacist
  • medicines are stored out of reach and out of sight of children, even if they are in child-proof packaging or Webster packs
  • children are supervised in the home
  • children are supervised if visiting the homes of others or places where there are likely to be poisons, including pools and gardens.

Safe disposal of household poisons

Household poisons must be disposed of safely to lower the risk of poisoning and injuries.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority can assist with the disposal of household poisons and other dangerous waste. 

Household Chemical Cleanout events will take:

  • acids and alkalis
  • ammonia-based cleaners
  • car and household batteries
  • fire extinguishers
  • floor care products
  • fluorescent globes and tubes
  • gas bottles
  • hobby chemicals
  • motor fuels
  • motor oils and cooking oils
  • paint and paint-related products
  • pesticides and herbicides
  • poisons
  • pool chemicals
  • smoke detectors
  • solvents and household cleaners.

Community Recycling centres will take:

  • paint
  • motor oils
  • household batteries
  • gas bottles
  • other oils
  • smoke detectors
  • fire extinguishers
  • car batteries
  • fluoro globes and tubes.

Visit the NSW Environment Protection Authority website for more information about local centres and events.

You can dispose of unwanted or out-of-date medications at your local pharmacy.

Cover batteries in clear sticky tape before disposing of them. Make sure that both ends or flat surfaces of the batter are covered to prevent them from sparking and catching fire.

Batteries can be safely disposed of in outside bins or recycled in any specially nominated drop-off bins.

Find your nearest location for recycling batteries by visiting:

Resources and more information

Disclaimer

This factsheet is provided for general information only. It does not constitute health advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition.

Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for you and/or your child.

The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network does not accept responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions, the interpretation of the information, or for success or appropriateness of any treatment described in the factsheet.

© Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network 2024