Preventing poisoning

1. Keep all medicines and chemicals out of sight and reach of children

If it's possible, lock away all medicines and chemicals in a storage cupboard. Young children can be good climbers and can stretch out to get something that you thought might be out of their reach.

Keep the dishwasher shut when it's not in use as there could be some leftover dishwasher powder in it. Children can easily get into the dishwasher and eat the powder, which can result in serious poisoning.

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Small batteries can also be easily swallowed, so keep them out of reach of children. Read more about button battery dangers for children. 

2. Keep chemicals and medicines in their original containers with labels in place

Keep all chemicals and medicines in their original containers with their original labels. Don't store them in a food or drink container, as you or other people in your household may mistake it as food and eat it. Storing chemical and medicines in food or drink containers is illegal and highly dangerous and can cause serious poisoning. 

3. Store all chemicals and medicines separately from food

While keeping chemicals and medicines in their original containers is a good practice, you must also store them separately from food. This reduces the chance of accidental poisoning. It also helps teach children that medicines and chemicals are not food. 

4. Put any chemicals or medicines straight back where you keep them after you've used them. 

A lot of childhood poisonings happen when chemicals or medicines have been left out after use. 

5. Dispose of chemicals and medicines that are no longer used

If you are no longer using any chemicals or medicines, make the effort to get rid of them in an appropriate way to avoid accidental poisoning. You can contact your National Poisons Centre or your regional council for advice on how to dispose of chemicals. Contact your local pharmacy for disposal or return of medicines. 

7. Be careful of child-resistant caps 

Child-resistant caps are not child proof, so keep medicines out of reach of children even if they have child-resistant packaging. 

8. Practice safe medicine use 

If you, your children or anyone else in the household need to take any medicines, practicing safe medicine use can help prevent accidental poisoning.

• Before taking your medicines, read and follow the instructions and warnings on the label.
• If you have any questions about the use, side effects or interactions of your medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Old and outdated medicines should be disposed of or returned to your local pharmacy.
• Don't share your prescription medicines with someone else.
• Ask your pharmacist about getting your medicines in a blister pack or pills tray if you have difficulty remembering when to take your medicines. 
• Make sure you have a record of the normal contents of your pillbox, including the name, number of pills and description. This would be helpful if any children manage to access the pillbox. 
• Keep all medicines out of reach of children. 
• Don't refer to medicines as sweets when encouraging children to take medicines.
• Don't take or give medicines in the dark to avoid taking medicines in an incorrect dose. 

Read more about tips for using medicines safely.

9. Keep vaping devices and fluids out of reach of children

Vape liquids/juices are dangerous because they're highly concentrated and contain dangerous chemicals. Also, they're particularly attractive to children because they have a flavoured scent. Swallowing even a small amount (1mL) can be harmful to tamariki. When they're not being used, they should be out of reach and out of sight. If a child has gained access to a vape or vape liquid call 0800 764 766 for first aid advice. If they have had access and you find them unconscious or they're not responding call 111 immediately. 

These things are often found around our homes and you may not think to lock them away safely. They vary in how poisonous they are, but can all cause damage if they're eaten. 

• Boric acid-based ant baits.
• Dishwasher tablets and powders.
• Bleaches (sodium hypochlorite).
• Essential oils.
• Ethanol – includes alcoholic drinks, window cleaners, methylated spirits, perfumes, mouth washes and hand sanitisers.
• Foaming products – includes dishwashing liquids, hand soaps and bubble blowing mixture.
• Irritants – cosmetic products, barrier creams, glow stick ingredients.
• Nail polish
• Reed diffusers (a jar or bottle of fragrant liquid with wicking reeds).
• Silica gel packets are a choking hazard.
• Superglue
• Vape liquids.