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My baby is into everything - how do I stop her poisoning herself?.
A
As your toddler gets more mobile
the more vigilant you have to be! You are right to be concerned though as the
last the consumer safety unit (2002) survey showed - over 28,000 children receive
treatment for poisoning, or suspected poisoning accidents every year. Most poisoning
accidents involve medicines, plants, household products and cosmetics.
You might want to try the following
to help keep your child safe:
- Keep all medicines, vitamins and
chemicals in a locked cupboard.
- Try to add extra safety measures
by buying products with child resistant tops.
- Look for cleaning products that
contain a bittering agent like Bitrex in the ingredients. This makes the product
taste really bitter so young children are far less likely to swallow it –
helping to reduce accidental poisoning.
- Always store chemicals in their
original containers so you don’t forget what they are as there is a
risk you could leave them out and about.
- Dispose of unwanted medicines
and chemicals safely - ask your pharmacist for advice.
- Keep cosmetics creams, ointments,
shampoos, mouthwash, hair dyes, perfumes and aftershaves out of reach.
- Avoid buying house plants until
you have researched whether they are poisonous
- When you are giving your baby
medicine for ill health - never pretend it’s a sweet, your child may
then think all things that look like medicine is ok.
- If you take medication –
take it when your child isn’t watching. Children learn by imitating
adults so if they find a tablet they are more likely to think its ok for them
to take.
health visitor
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