Household poisons and children factsheet

Introduction

Many household products can be poisonous to children. These include: 

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

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

Poisoning is a common injury in young children. Children between one and three years old are at a higher risk because they are more likely to: 

  • explore their surroundings 
  • put things in their mouth 
  • copy what adults do. 

Poisonings often happen when: 

  • poisonous items like medicines or cleaning products are left out after use 
  • medicines are stored within easy reach, such as in handbags or on bedside tables 
  • there is a change in routine or environment, like holidays or moving house 
  • chemicals or cleaning products are stored in decorative or everyday containers like lunchboxes or glass bottles
  • children are left unsupervised in areas where poisons are stored, like bathrooms. 

 Signs and symptoms

Some poisons are highly toxic. This means even a tiny amount can cause severe illness or death. 

If you think your child has been poisoned, act immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. 

Symptoms will depend on: 

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

Symptoms of poisoning may include: 

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

Take a photo or write down the details of the poison and call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. They will give you information about any first aid you need to do and tell you which emergency department to go to.

Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance if your child has severe symptoms like: 

  • difficulty breathing 
  • loss of consciousness 
  • 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

Follow the first-aid advice given by the NSW Poisons information centre, along with the following:

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.

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.

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.

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

In hospital, treatment will depend on: 

  • the type and amount of poison 
  • whether it was swallowed, breathed in, or touched 
  • your child’s symptoms. 

Your child’s treatment team will work to: 

  • keep your child’s airways open and breathing stable 
  • keep their blood pressure and heart rate normal 
  • keep them awake 
  • treat any symptoms 
  • remove or reduce the effects of the poison. 

 Management

Preventing poisoning

Household poisons can include everyday products like:

  • cleaning products
  • medicines
  • insect sprays.

Lower the risk of poisoning by:

  • storing products in locked cupboards, out of children’s reach 
  • following product instructions and returning items to their storage spot immediately after use 
  • keeping products in their original containers and clearly labelled 
  • closing lids and seals securely after use 
  • opening windows and doors to ventilate rooms, especially when using sprays 
  • giving or taking medicine out of sight of children where possible, following instructions from the pharmacist 
  • storing medicines out of reach and out of sight, even if in child-proof packaging 
  • supervising children at home and when visiting places where poisons might be present, like pools or gardens. 

Safe disposal of household poisons

To reduce the risk of poisoning or injury, dispose of household poisons safely. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) can help with safe disposal. 

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 EPA website for more information about local centres and events. 

Dispose of unwanted or expired medicines at your local pharmacy. Before disposal, cover batteries in clear sticky tape to prevent sparking. Alkaline batteries like AA and AAA can go in outside bins or special recycling drop-off bins.

For battery recycling locations, visit:

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

This factsheet was produced with support from John Hunter Children's Hospital.

John Hunter Children's Hospital
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick