Household poisons
Poisons such as bleach, oven cleaner, paint stripper, antifreeze, weed killer, pesticides and ammonia can be found at home, including glass and window cleaning products.
It is important to handle all household poisons with care and keep them out of reach of children and pets. These common household items can be extremely dangerous if ingested, and it’s crucial to know the signs and symptoms of poisoning as well as the appropriate actions to take in case of an emergency.
If someone swallows household poison, there are several key symptoms to look for.
Recognition if it is swallowed
- Redness, blistering, burns and swelling to the face, mouth and lips
- Distressed breathing, leading to unresponsiveness
In the event of this type of poisoning, it is important to act quickly and follow these steps for treatment.
- Check the airway and their breathing.
- Be prepared to resuscitate (use a face shield)
- Call for an ambulance
- If they are unresponsive, place them in the recovery position and monitor their breathing while waiting for the ambulance to arrive
- Identify the poison that was taken
- Do not induce vomiting
