In Australia, about 18,000 young children are treated for poisonings each year. Medicines are the culprit in more than 70% of cases. In the 1970s and 80s, following the introduction of child-resistant packaging, the rate of childhood poisonings decreased considerably. However, it’s still one of the common reasons for under five-year-olds being hospitalised.

Typical situations

Young children, especially those aged 1 to 3, are at greatest risk of being poisoned by medicines, because they explore the world around them, put things in their mouths, and copy adults.

Most poisonings happen at home, often when medicines are not in their normal place — for example, when the medicines are about to be used or have just been used, and the adults are distracted, have other things on their mind, are ill, or leave the room for a moment.

Most poisonings happen at home when the medicines are about to be used or have just been used.

Some poisonings happen when the family’s routine has been changed for some reason, such as while holidaying, moving house or visiting friends and relatives, including grandparents.

Handbags belonging to parents, grandparents and visitors can be a treasure trove for young children. However, all too often, they are the source of medicines that have poisoned young children.

 

Which medicines?

All medicines, including over-the-counter and alternative medicines, can cause problems if taken unintentionally by children. Paracetamol (including liquid paracetamol), cold and flu preparations, tranquillisers and antihistamines are the most frequent causes of children under five being taken to hospital. However, some medicines, such as some heart tablets, iron supplements, tranquillisers, and medicines for mental illness and depression, migraine and epilepsy, tend to cause more serious problems than others. The child is more likely to need a stay in hospital if they unintentionally take one of these medicines.

Precautions

Whether you have toddlers in the house or visit toddlers, it’s impossible to keep an eye on them all the time. However, it is possible to stop them getting hold of your medicines.

Keep all medicines out of sight, and at least 1.5 metres (4’6”) above floor level. Simply putting them in a high place where they can still be seen is not enough, because young children, especially three- and four-year-olds, are very resourceful when it comes to finding ways of climbing up to get something.

Remind yourself to take your medicines by putting up a reminder note rather than by putting them in a prominent place.

Avoid taking medicines in front of young children, because they like to copy ‘big people’.

When giving medicines to children, put the medicine in a safe place immediately afterwards.

Replace child-resistant lids on medicines properly — otherwise they’re useless. Also, remember that child-resistant doesn’t mean child-proof. Child-resistant packaging only makes it harder for most children to open it. You still need to keep the container out of reach and out of sight.

Keep handbags in a safe place, especially when visiting homes where there are young children.

Don’t store medicines in the fridge door. Keep medicines that have to be refrigerated in a plastic container with a tightly fitting lid, and place them at the back of the fridge, but not next to the cooling element, which could freeze them.

Don’t keep unneeded medicines in the house. Take them to a pharmacy (any pharmacy) for free and safe disposal. If you suspect that a child has taken a medicine not intended for them, immediately ring the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, or take them to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Thankfully, most young children recover from poisonings with no lasting ill-effects, and deaths are very rare. However, having to rush a young child to hospital with possible poisoning from medicines is not something that any of us want to experience.