An Island Health ICU doctor is encouraging parents to be aware of potential poisoning risks in the home, during Safe Kids Week, June 3 to 9.
Dr. Daniel Ovakim, ICU physician at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals, is raising awareness of poisoning injuries and sharing actions parents and caregivers can take.
“There are many potential poisons in our homes, such as medications, household cleaners, plants, and cannabis products,” said Dr. Ovakim, who also works as a toxicologist for the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC). “The frustrating part is that most poisonings are preventable.”
9623 poisonings in children 5 and under were reported to the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre in the Island Health region over the last 5 years.
Most poisonings in children happen just before lunch and before dinner -- when children are hungry and least supervised.
Pain medication is the number one cause of poisonings in the region, with 1112 incidents reported.
Child-resistant packaging is required by law for certain medications, like Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen, but a small percentage of children are still able to open the containers.
Dr. Ovakim said, “Though bottles are labelled as child-proof, they are child-proof for most children, not all children.”
While less frequent, poisonings involving cannabis can be very serious.
There were 99 incidents reported with half requiring healthcare.
Cannabis edibles can have a more toxic effect than other forms as they can be very potent, and when edibles resemble common snacks like brownies and gummy bears, a young child may not be able to tell the difference.
“Cannabis edibles are becoming more common, especially since legalization, and with packaging that may appeal to kids,” said Dr. Ovakim. “We’ve seen children in the ICU on a ventilator after ingesting cannabis products.”
Batteries are also to blame for more serious poisonings, causing life-threatening internal chemical burns in as little as two hours. There were 55 poisonings reported and more than half required healthcare.
Many of these cases involved small, disc-shaped button batteries, commonly used to power toys, watches, hearing aids and car key fobs.
Other common items at home that are known to cause poisonings in children include; alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarette products, household cleaners (like bleach); vitamins; laundry detergent; personal care products like nail polish; car supplies like washer fluid; pesticides; and certain plants.
The BC Poison Control Centre is available 24 hours every day for advice and information.
For suspected poisonings, call 1-800-567-8911.
If the person loses consciousness or has difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1.
POISON PREVENTION TIPS FOR MEDICATION AND CANNABIS:
POISON PREVENTION TIPS FOR BATTERIES: