A poison is any substance that causes damage to the body in sufficient quantities. There are around 15 cases in the UK every single day where a child is admitted to hospital due to poisoning. Children under 5 years of age have a particularly high risk of poisoning. The most common form of poisoning in the UK is from medicine.

Activity; Sort out the 4 different ways poison can enter the body below

What is the difference between corrosive and non corrosive poisoning?

Corrosive poisons are immediately dangerous to the tissues they contact such as acids or bleach. Non-corrosive require time to become evident such as tablets or plants. 

Prevention

• Reduce the risk of accidental poisoning by medicine by reading the information leaflet that comes with the medicine carefully
• Keep all medicines, cleaning products and chemicals out of reach of children
• Do not store medicines, cleaning products or chemicals near food
• Keep chemicals in their original containers
• Never refer to medicines as sweets
• Button batteries can be easily swallowed, keep them and devices they are in out of reach of children. 
• Some plants can be poisonous so be vigilant  when children are going to be in the same environment
• Small washing pods are dangerous when swallowed, keep them up high where children can not access them
• Use medicines with child-resistant containers
• Supervise children at all times

You can read about preventing more accidents to children at home from the NHS here – baby and toddler safety.

Recognition

• Nausea and sickness
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Drowsiness, dizziness or weakness
• High temperature
• Shivering
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Irritability
• Breathing difficulties
• Salivating 
• Rash
• Blue lips and skin 
• Burns around the nose or mouth
• Double or blurred vision
• Confusion
• Seizures 
• Loss of consciousness

Treatment

• Being poisoned can be life-threatening. If someone has been poisoned, do not try to treat them yourself – seek medical help immediately
• If they’re showing signs of being seriously ill, call 999/112 to request an ambulance or take them to your local A&E department. Provide as much information as possible about the substance
• Call NHS 111 for advice if a person who’s been poisoned does not appear to be seriously ill
• Keep yourself safe. Make sure you are protected from the poison before approaching.
• Wear PPE such as gloves if necessary
• Wash any corrosive substance away with water, if possible and follow the treatment for burns
• Do not encourage vomiting if they have ingested a poison as this can burn their airway a second time on the way back up. 
• Get the child to rinse their mouth and then give small sips of milk or water
• If the child becomes unconscious, check Airway and Breathing and place them in the recovery position
• If the child stops breathing, start CPR. Use a face shield to protect yourself. 
• Move the child to fresh air away from the poisonous substance if applicable
• Treat any burns

Do not shout at a child who you suspect has swallowed a poison as they are not likely to tell you what they have taken if they feel threatened. Try to stay calm. 

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How to help the ambulance crew

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Where to find specific advice of non-corrosive substances;

• On the containers of packaging
• On ‘COSHH’ safety data sheets
• From an NHS helpline- 111
• From the ambulance department

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Activity

Sort the objects below into the correct category

Below you will find posters available to download –

1. Keep your child safe in the home
2. Keep your child safe in the garden