Keeping children safe around medicines and poisons

Poisoning happens when someone swallows or is exposed to a substance in amounts that cause illness, injury or death. This can happen accidentally or on purpose.

Medicines can be poisons if they are taken by the wrong person or at the wrong dose.

Keeping your medicines and other dangerous substances out of children's reach helps keep them safe.

Your child is at risk of poisoning from medicines around the house because young children can be curious. They explore their world but aren't aware of dangers. They often put things in their mouth to learn more about taste and texture. They also like to copy what adults do, including taking medicines. This increases their risk of accidental poisoning.

Your child is at greatest risk of poisoning when family routines change or when something is new. This might be when you:

• are on holiday
• have visitors who take medicines
• move house
• visit another person's house

Poisoning at home often involves young children playing with:

• medicines
• cosmetics and perfumes
• cleaning products

Medicines can be:

• prescription medicines
• over-the-counter medicines
• dietary supplements
• herbal medicines

Poisons at home can be obvious or hidden, and may include:

• disinfectant, bleach, soap and dishwasher powder
• essential oils (such as eucalyptus oil)
• button batteries
• insect and weed killer
• alcohol or illicit drugs
• glue and paint

E-cigarettes and vaping products

In recent years, accidental exposure to e-cigarettes and other vaping products has risen in young children — this can include swallowing the e-cigarette filter or liquid nicotine.

Common symptoms in toddlers exposed to e-cigarettes and other vaping products are:

• coughing
• severe coughing fits
• vomiting

In serious cases, exposure can also cause fainting (loss of consciousness) or seizures.

Keep e-cigarettes and other vaping products out of the reach of children and store them safely.

Being aware of how to take and store medicines around children can prevent accidental poisoning. These tips can help you store and use your medicines safely.

Safe use of medicines

• Avoid taking medicines when children are watching, as children copy adults.
• Never refer to tablets as 'lollies', even to encourage children to take their own medicine.
• Always read the labels on medicines and poisons so that you know how to use them correctly.
• Take any unwanted or out-of-date medicines to your local pharmacy.

Safe storage of medicines and poisons

• Ask your pharmacist for child-resistant caps on your medicines and use all child-resistant packaging as instructed.
• Check that you can open and close child-resistant caps before you leave the pharmacy.
• Store medicines and poisons up high in a locked cupboard — out of reach and out of sight of children.
• Keep medicines, poisons and household chemicals in the original packaging — never transfer them into food or drink containers.
• Don't store chemicals or cleaning products in old drink bottles.
• If your medicine needs to be stored in the fridge, keep it at the top and towards the back — not in the fridge door.

Child-resistant caps

Some medicines and poisons are packaged in containers with child-resistant caps. These caps must be:

• squeezed and turned at the same time
• pushed down and turned at the same time

These safety caps may be difficult to open. While they increase the time it takes for a child to open the package, they're not completely child-proof.

Some people (especially older people) might find it difficult to open and close containers with child-resistant caps. It's important not to transfer the contents into another container.

Always make sure the cap is put back on correctly. Store your medicine both out of sight and out of reach of children.

Blister packs

Some medicines are packaged in foil and blister packs. These are hard to open but can't be re-closed. Once open, the medicine is easily available to children.

Safe storage, both out of sight and out of reach of children, is the best protection from accidental poisoning.

Child safety tips

Try to always supervise your child.

When you have visitors, make sure their bags are out of reach, in case they contain medicines.

Medicines for babies and children

In Australia, children younger than 5 years are most likely to go to hospital because of accidental poisoning. Most of these poisonings are caused by medicines.

It's very important to give your child the right dose of medicine.

• Follow instructions from your doctor or pharmacist — they will guide you on how often and how much medicine to give.
• Always read the packet carefully — the dose will depend on your child's age and weight.
• Always use the measuring device provided in the package. If there isn't a device in the package, ask your pharmacist to recommend one.
• Write it down — keeping a record can reduce the risk of double dosing.

Read more on medicines for babies and children.

The NSW Poisons Information Centre has the latest poisons information. They offer telephone advice on 13 11 26 across Australia. You can also read more about preventing accidental poisoning around your house.

The Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Project is a free and easy way to get rid of your unwanted medicines. Learn more about the RUM Project.

Kidsafe Australia has a factsheet with tips on how to prevent accidental poisonings.