Poisons safety

Young children are curious- they love to explore, touch, and taste. But because they don’t understand what’s safe and what’s dangerous, poisons in the home can pose a real risk.  

Did you know?

  • poisoning is one of the most common causes of injury in young children, and almost all cases happen at home
  • more than 500 children are taken to hospital because of poisoning from products found around the home
  • children under 5 years of age, with children aged 1-3 are most at risk.

Tips to prevent poisoning in the home

  • save the Poisons Information Centre (PIC) phone number (13 11 26) on your mobile phone
  • ensure that all poisons, including medicines, vapes, cleaning products and chemicals are:
    • in their original container
    • clearly labelled
    • out of reach from children
  • store all poisons out of reach and out of sight- at least 1.5 metres off the ground in a child-resistant locked cupboard
  • keep poisons in their original containers with labels clearly visible
  • never leave poisons out, even for a short period of time. Put them away after use
  • supervise children, especially during periods of change like during a move or when you have visitors
  • check if your garden has poisonous plants. Ask your local nursery, visit the Poisons Information Centre website or download plant identification apps
  • throw away unwanted household chemicals – contact EPA Clean Out on 131 555 or visit the NSW EPA website. 

     

Medications are the most common cause of childhood poisoning.  

See Medication safety for more information on safe storage and administration.   

First aid for poisoning 

If your child has had any contact with a poison, don’t wait for signs or symptoms to occur. 

Call:

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest hospital's emergency department. 

If your child comes in contact with a poison, there are some general first aid steps you can take- depending on the type of poisons and what part of the body is affected. However, it is important to follow the advice of Triple Zero (000) or Poisons Information Centre (PIC), as they will be able to provide specific advice for your child’s situation.  

 

Swallowed

If your child has swallowed poison: 

  • do not try to make the child vomit
  • call the Poisons Information Centre (PIC) (13 11 26)
  • where possible, check the label of the poison and provide the information to the person on the phone.

On the skin

  • carefully remove any clothing that has poison on it
  • wash the skin with cool running water
  • be careful not to splash or spread poison to other areas of the skin
  • call the Poisons Information Centre (PIC) (13 11 26) for more advice. 

In the eyes

  • turn your child’s head to the side, making sure the affected eye is closer to the ground
  • gently hold the eyelid open
  • wash the eye with cool running water for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open
  • call the Poisons Information Centre (PIC) (13 11 26) for more advice. 
     

Inhaled poison

  • move your child to an area of fresh air to avoid breathing in more fumes
  • open doors and windows to let fresh air in, only if it’s safe to do so
  • if your child isn’t breathing start Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and call Triple Zero (000)
  • call the Poisons Information Centre (PIC) (13 11 26) for more advice.