Kidsafe Victoria today called for the installation of child resistant poisons cabinets as standard in all new homes to help reduce the number of childhood poisonings, saying common medications such as paracetamol and household chemicals are involved in a vast number of poisonings.

“Medications and household chemicals are associated with the majority of child poisonings, with many resulting in hospital admissions. Examples of these include paracetamol, cold and flu medications, antihistamines, heart and blood pressure medication, as well as eucalyptus oil, mouse baits, methylated spirits and dishwashing detergeants” Dr Stokes said.

Kidsafe Victoria called on the building industry and local governments to assist in mandating child resistant poisons cabinets in all new homes, as a cheap and simple prevention measure to assist families keep common household poisons out-of-reach of children.

Dr Mark Stokes, President of Kidsafe Victoria said, “ Victoria is experiencing a baby boom and a huge growth in new homes. It is easy to predict the number of child poisonings may also explode if new homes are not fitted with child-resistant poisons cabinets.” 

“It is irresponsible for new homes to be built without lockable poisons cabinets as standard as the kitchen sink. It is a cheap and simple poisoning prevention measure that works”. Owners of existing homes are also encouraged to retro-fit poisons cabinets.

“Having a lockable poisons cabinet in the home is as essential as having a smoke alarm, and will go a long way in reducing the burden of child poisoning on admissions and presentations to our hospitals and GP clinics.”

Dr Mark Stokes President Kidsafe Victoria  said, “The dangers of paracetamol are further heightened by the fact that the community has a false sense of security thinking the lids on containers are child proof; the reality is that they are only child resistant and can be opened by many children.”

TODDLERS ARE MOST AT RISK   Dr Stokes said that toddlers aged one to two years are most at risk, as they begin to move about often exploring the world with their mouths. All homes with children under five are a potential poisoning hazard.

Dr Stokes warned parents that child poisonings are often linked to events such as family parties and holidays.   “Some of the most dangerous situations occur when handbags are brought into the home by grandparents who may have a cocktail of medications for such ailments as heart conditions or blood pressure.  Other incidents happen because parents do not have a safe storage cabinet for medications in their homes.”   

“The simple rule is do not leave medications of any type within reach of children either in handbags, on bed side tables or kitchen benches. Place them well out of reach of small children in lockable, child resistant cabinets.  Young children may see brightly colored pills as lollies - children have no understanding of the danger related to eating numbers of pills.”

Media Enquiries:

Dr Mark Stokes, President Kidsafe Victoria, Mobile: 0408 038 267

Aleks Natora, State Manager Kidsafe Victoria, 0419 836 244

Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications for Kidsafe Victoria, Mobile: 0417 329 201