Children are natural explorers, and when it comes to finding medicines and chemicals in the home, it is vital that caregivers lock these out of reach.
More than 20,000 people are involved in accidental poisonings every year and more than half of these cases are in children under the age of six, according to the Poison Control Centre at British Columbia's Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC).
"We receive almost 100 calls a day," explains DPIC managing director Debra Kent.
"Many poisonings can be managed at home with the advice of the B.C. Poison Control Centre (BCPCC) and we want to remind parents, caregivers and friends to call, even if they suspect they are dealing with a potential poisoning. The BCPCC is available to anyone in B.C., 24 hours a day, seven days a week [1-800-567-8911], and is staffed by specially trained nurses and pharmacists."
The most common poisonous substances children are exposed to include cough/cold medicines, pain and fever medicine, plants and cleaners.
Many poisonings in children happen just before lunch or dinner when children are hungry and least supervised, as the caregiver is busy making a meal.
Parents and caregivers are urged to keep medicines in a locked cabinet or box, out of reach of children, and store chemicals and cleaners safely in a locked cabinet.
In B.C., poisoning is one of the top 3 causes of death from injury, and it has been estimated unintentional poisonings cost British Columbians $216 million annually in both direct and indirect costs. Many of these poisonings can be prevented by following directions on product labels, ensuring hazardous substances are put away safely, and keeping medicines and cleaners out of reach of young children.
