Some of the everyday items you have at home could be poisonous to you or your child. Find more information about each type of hazard, including poisoning risk, treatment at home, and when to seek medical attention, in the dropdowns below.
Description
Drinking alcohol comes in a variety of forms and concentrations and should never be left out if there are young children in the home. Children are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, which can also cause dangerous drops in their blood sugar level.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on dose/amount ingested and tolerance.
Expected symptoms
- Can range from mild (drowsiness, slurred speech) to severe (coma, seizures).
Home treatment
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
- If the person exposed is difficult to rouse or having difficulty breathing, call 911.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household hazards.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Antacids are used to treat acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion, and come in liquid, effervescent tablet, gummy and tablet form. Ingredients often include calcium carbonate.
Children often eat antacids because they like the taste.
Poisoning risk
Low in small amounts. A one-time ingestion of antacids is rarely a problem.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
*Note: If your child has kidney problems, antacids may pose a larger risk to them.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Batteries come in many shapes and sizes and can be found in a variety of toys and household appliances. If someone has swallowed ANY battery, there is no role for home management. The person must be assessed in an emergency department. A swallowed button battery can burn through a child’s esophagus in just 2 hours.
Poisoning risk
Caustic: can cause chemical burns.
Expected symptoms
- Can range from mild oral irritation if chewed on, to corrosive injury and burns.
Home treatment
- If swallowed, go to nearest Emergency Department for an X-ray to locate battery.
- If button battery is swallowed, call the Poison Centre for further advice: children over 12 months old who are able to swallow can be given honey at home and while en route to the hospital. Give 2 teaspoons every 10 minutes for up to 6 doses. Do not give anything else by mouth.
- If a battery has been chewed on but is intact, provide sips of water to drink and call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- Extra batteries should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household hazards.
- Ensure battery-operated toys and appliances are intact.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Caffeine is found in a variety of food and drinks, even in medications. While caffeine is generally safe in adults (Health Canada recommends no more than 400 mg daily), children are much more susceptible to the side effects of caffeine due to their smaller body size.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on dose/amount ingested.
Expected symptoms
- Caffeine overuse can cause headache, nausea and difficulty sleeping.
- Caffeine toxicity can cause irregular heart rhythms and seizures.
Home treatment
- Encourage good hydration.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Dishwashing detergent can come in liquid, powder or pod/tablet form. These products are usually brightly coloured and may look like candy to young children. Automatic dishwashing detergents have more corrosive ingredients than hand dishwashing soaps and can be very irritating if swallowed.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on dose/amount ingested.
Low for small, taste amounts.
Higher if pods/tablets are bitten into, or larger amount ingested.
Expected symptoms
- May cause mild oral/throat irritation in taste amounts.
- Larger amounts can cause upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and potentially burns.
Home treatment
- Wash exposed skin with soap and water.
- Provide sips of water to drink for dilution.
- For eye exposures, rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm water.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household hazards.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Disinfectant wipes are used to wipe down surfaces such as countertops, floors, bathroom fixtures and phones. If a child is found chewing on one of these wipes, they may get some of the liquid disinfectant into their mouths. This rarely results in harm.
Poisoning risk
Low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Remove any residual pieces from mouth
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- If you have questions, call the Poison Centre.
- If your child is choking, call 911.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household hazards.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Ice packs and gel freezer packs are used often for applying to injuries or for keeping lunch boxes cool. Curious children may be drawn to their bright colours/interesting texture, and sample some of the contents if leaking. The contents in these packs are generally non-toxic and can include cellulose and additives including water, preservatives, sodium chloride, minerals, or dye.
Poisoning risk
Low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- If you have questions, call the Poison Centre.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Some fresh fruits, including cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines and apricots have pits that contains cyanide compounds, which are poisonous. If a couple pits are accidentally swallowed, it will not cause poisoning. The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up/crushed or the seeds are chewed. Fruit that has not been pitted should not be blended into a smoothie.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on the amount swallowed.
Low for small exposures.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
- Large/intentional exposures can cause serious symptoms.
Home treatment
- Remove any remaining pits from mouth
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Glass cleaning products are often brightly coloured and can be appealing to children. They usually contain solvents, surfactants and ammonia to clean glass surfaces. Small ingestions and skin exposures can cause irritant effects. Remember: do not mix with any other cleaning products. The chemicals can react and create irritating fumes.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on the amount swallowed.
Low for small exposures.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- For eye exposures, rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm water.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Hand sanitizers usually contain a high percentage of alcohol, often ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. The additive fragrance can make them attractive to children, leading to licks/tastes of the gel or liquid. A small/taste ingestion will not intoxicate a child.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on dose/amount ingested.
Low in small/taste amounts.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
- Symptoms of intoxication can range from mild (drowsiness, slurred speech, upset stomach) to severe (coma, seizures).
- Children are more susceptible to a drop in their blood sugar level at toxic amounts.
Home treatment
- Provide juice or milk to drink, or a snack.
- For eye exposures, rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm water.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household hazards.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Homeopathic products are advertised to treat a wide variety of health issues. These products are generally very diluted, and ingredients are listed in terms of its degree of dilution (ex/ 1X, 5C). Because of this dilution, unintentional exposure or overdose of these products rarely causes symptoms. However, remember that not all available products are regulated and ingredient labels may not be reliable.
Poisoning risk
Low.
Expected symptoms
- None/Minimal. Can cause possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
*Note: visit the Health Canada website for the database of approved homeopathic products.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Silica gel comes in paper packages and can be found in many items like shoes, clothing pockets, and in bottles of medicine. The silica gel usually comes in clear/round beads. They are there to help keep things dry. These packets are not toxic but can pose a choking risk if swallowed.
Poisoning risk
None.
Expected symptoms
None.
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink to flush beads into stomach.
- If you have questions, call the Poison Centre.
- If your child is choking, call 911.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Soaps: including hand/body soaps, hand dishwashing soap and shampoos have low toxicity. They will generally result in a bad taste in the mouth and irritant effects if swallowed.
Poisoning risk
None/Low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- For eye exposures, rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm water, then call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Vitamins come in a variety of forms (gummies, chewable tablets, capsules) and are appealing to children as some of them are flavoured to taste like candy. Large, one-time ingestions of multivitamins are generally not a problem unless they contain iron, which can cause toxicity in smaller amounts. Vitamin A can be concerning, but usually requires a very large ingestion to result in toxicity.
Poisoning risk
Low, unless vitamins contain iron.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
- Stomach symptoms may be more severe if iron ingested.
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).