LIFESTYLE NEWS - With the festive season upon us, the Western Cape Government Health is urging adults to keep all poisons well out of reach children.
Accidental poisoning in young children is frequently common during the holidays, and occurs habitually at home and while visiting family and friends.
According to the annual report of the Tygerberg Hospital Poisons Information Centre, most poisoning exposures occurred in the age group one to two years. Children are inquisitive by nature, and as the infant becomes mobile (eight to 24 months) they start to explore their surroundings and run the risk of putting things into their mouths.
It is common for caregivers to underestimate the ability of young children to reach medicines or chemicals.
“It is important to keep all poisons, especially things you use every day, such as medicines, drain cleaners, oven or grill cleaners, bleach, and dishwasher machine powder, well out of reach of children.
"Button batteries such as those found in toys and remote controls are extremely dangerous if children swallow them, and the same applies to tiny magnets.
"Daily household routines can become disrupted during the holidays, so always double check before giving medicine to children,” says Carine Marks, director of the Tygerberg Hospital Poisons Information Centre.
The Tygerberg Hospital Poisons Information Centre developed poisons information chart that tell parents what to do immediately after a child has been exposed to a possible poison.
The chart can be downloaded here, and is available in all official languages.
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