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The home is the most common setting for childhood poisoning.
Poisonings
In 2005, 19 children and young people died in England and Wales and 10,664 were admitted to hospital in England as a result of unintentional poisoning.*
75% of all poisonings occur with children under 5, in the home.**
Common causes include
- Medicines
- Household chemicals (e.g. bleach)
- Pesticides
- Plants
- Carbon monoxide †
- Illegal drugs and alcohol
- Cigarettes and tobacco
- Cosmetics
Children are even more at risk when harmful substances are transferred into different containers or are within easy reach.
Poisoning rates increase again in the 15 to 19 age group, with a rise in poisoning from alcohol and illegal drugs.
* Source: 'A Children’s Environment and Health Strategy for the United Kingdom - Consultation Document' - The Health Protection Agency, March 2008.
** Source: Home Accident Surveillance System (ROSPA/BIS) 2002
† Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas produced when fossil fuels are burned. Fossil fuels include natural gas, propane, methane, butane, wood, oil, petrol, coal and charcoal. Approximately 30 people a year die from CO poisoning from gas appliances in the UK.
