As the festive season approaches there are several poisoning dangers to be aware of, particularly with regards to children.
Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) and Tygerberg Hospital (TBH) Poisons Information Centres are home to the national Poisons Information Helpline, which has been in operation since 2015.
The Poisons Information Helpline runs on a 24/7 basis, providing immediate support and guidance to help parents, caregivers and health workers recognise poisoning symptoms and how to treat emergency cases.
Dr Cindy Stephen, Director of the Poisons Information Centre at RCWMCH, shares why poisonings increase during the festive season: “At holiday time being out of our normal routine we must take extra care to ensure medicines and chemicals are stored safely away from children. The warmer summer months also mean that more snakes, spiders and scorpions are active and the incidence of envenomations increases markedly.”
Combined, RCWMCH and TBH saw more than 2 500 poisoning cases in December 2022 and January 2023.
Carine Marks, Director of the Poisons Information Centre, at TBH encourages parents to be aware during the holiday season, “to stay vigilant this festive season! With children at higher risk, poisoning dangers loom – medication mishaps, pesticide exposures, and stings top the list.”
To safeguard your family this festive season:. Always store medications or poisonous substances safely out of reach of children.. When travelling do not keep medications in travel or shopping bags where they are easily accessible to children.. Make sure all medications are safety stored away immediately after use.. Be careful when visiting other people’s homes where medications and poisonous substances may not be safely locked away.. Keep loose batteries and battery-controlled devices away from children.. Hot summer days mean everyone is thirstier. Be careful that paraffin or other poisonous liquids such as methylated spirits or thinners are not decanted into juice bottles where they may look like water or juice.
Add the 24/7 Poisons Information Helpline number 0861 555 777 to your contact list.
