Lock away medicine and cleaners

By REBECCA WALSH

Three-quarters of poisonings happen in the home, so what can parents do to reduce the risk of their children swallowing something dangerous?

Locks should be placed on medicine cabinets. Household cleaners such as dishwasher and laundry powder should be locked away or stored out of reach of young children.

Medicines and cleaners should be put away straight after use and substances such as turpentine and methylated spirits should be kept in their original containers.

Families can ask pharmacists to provide child-proof caps on medicines, though there may be a small fee.

Parents concerned that their child may have swallowed something harmful should not make the child vomit as this can cause additional complications. Instead, they should phone the National Poisons Centre on 0800 POISON (0800 764-766) or their doctor immediately.

Some of the most common poisoning agents are:

* Paracetamol.

* Sedatives.

* Anti-depressants.

* Cardiovascular medication.

* Cannabis.

Other common causes of poisonings include:

* Petroleum products and solvents like turps and nail polish remover (8 per cent).

* Poisonous plants, berries, weeds and magic mushrooms (7 per cent).

* Agricultural and horticultural chemicals, such as insecticides, rat poison and snail pellets (6 per cent).

* Corrosives and caustics (6 per cent).

* Cleaning and polishing agents (5 per cent).

Household drugs and medicines account for 63 per cent of poisonings in children aged up to 4 years.

The danger medicines have safety caps fitted for free when dispensed in liquid form.

Child-resistant closures were introduced in 1997 and have proved highly effective.

The medicines are: paracetamol, aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as Voltarin), anti-convulsants, thyroxine (thyroid hormone), anti-depressants, narcotic painkillers, beta-2 agonists (asthma treatments such as Ventolin), benzodiazepines (tranquillisers such as Valium), theophylline (an old asthma treatment), iron salts (for people with anaemia), digoxin (a drug for treating heart failure), cardiac drugs, and phenothiazines (such as major tranquillisers for schizophrenia).

nzherald.co.nz/health