Alberta Health Services gives tips for parents and caregivers to prevent child poisoning
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For Poison Prevention Week from March 19-25, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is reminding Albertans how to keep kids safe and prevent poisonings.
“Children are curious about the world around them. Their curiosity, smaller size and lower body weight, as well as the appealing taste of flavoured children’s medication or brightly coloured objects, such as laundry pods, can put them at risk for poisoning,” said AHS in a release.
Last year, the Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS) says they received approximately 55 calls per day for poisonings, with 40 per cent of calls for children up to five years of age. They say many of these calls involved acetaminophen and ibuprofen and while these medicines are safe for treating common aches and pains, they can be harmful if taken incorrectly.
Officials say that household items not thought of as dangerous, such as cleaners, personal care products, car supplies, batteries, medications and pesticides, can cause poisoning and serious injury if ingested or used incorrectly. They add other items like cannabis, e-cigarettes, hand sanitizers, bleach and laundry detergent pods are also items that can cause poisonings and harm.
