Is your home poison-proof?

Children around New Zealand are exposed to poisons or accidently poisoned in their own home every year. 

The poisons are often substances found around the house or kids are unintentionally poisoned from therapeutic or prescription drugs.

 

The most common household poisons include: 

• Air freshener
• Dishwashing powder
• Essential oils
• Fly spray
• Household cleaners
• Liquid inside glowsticks
• Mulit-vitamins
• Oral contraceptives
• Painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibruprofen
• Perfume
• Swimming pool chemicals

To keep your kids safe put some preventative measures in place immediately, including:

• Disposing of old, unused medicines, garden chemicals and cleaning fluids safely
• Ensuring that all bottles have child-safety caps on them where possible
• Following medicine dose instructions from your doctor or pharmacist
• Installing child safety catches on cupboard doors
• Keeping all medicines, chemicals and cleaning products out of sight and out of reach, preferably locked away
• Storing poisonous substances in their original containers – never in food, drink or unlabelled containers
• Supervising kids closely when visiting other homes, as poisons may not be stored as safely as in your own home

In an emergency

If you suspect your child has swallowed poison, do not try to make them vomit or give them anything to drink until you have obtained medical advice.

Phone the New Zealand National Poisons Centre on 0800 POISON (0800 764 766). This toll free number operates 24/7. For more information visit the New Zealand National Poisons Centre website.

Remember to check out our other articles on Health &Wellbeing.

_{Resource: NZ Poisons Centre}