Household hazards and poisons: Purses and backpacks
Learn about the everyday items you or your child may be carrying
around in your purse or backpack that could be potentially harmful if
your child consumes them.
Key points
- Everyday items that you carry in your bag may be harmful for children if consumed.
- Depending on the risk level and symptoms, you may need to contact your doctor or take your child to the emergency department.
Some of the everyday items you have at home or in your bag could be poisonous to you or your child. Find more information about each type of hazard, including poisoning risk, treatment at home, and when to seek medical attention, in the dropdowns below.
Description
Acetaminophen is a common over-the-counter medicine used to treat pain and fever. It can also be found in cold medicines and prescription medicines, so make sure to always read the label closely to avoid unintentional over-dosing.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on dose ingested.
Expected symptoms
Can range from mild upset stomach to severe liver damage in higher/toxic amounts.
Home treatment
Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Antacids are used to treat acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion, and come in liquid, effervescent tablet, gummy and tablet form. Ingredients often include calcium carbonate.
Children often eat antacids because they like the taste.
Poisoning risk
Low in small amounts. A one-time ingestion of antacids is rarely a problem.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
*Note: If your child has kidney problems, antacids may pose a larger risk to them.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
There are many different types of antibiotics, but in general, they do not cause serious symptoms in the event of dosing errors or unintentional ingestions in children.
Poisoning risk
Low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Birth control pills are low-dose hormones used to prevent pregnancy, and usually come in packs of 21 or 28 pills. Children are not affected by these hormones, even if an entire pack is eaten.
Poisoning risk
None/low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- If you have questions, call the Poison Centre.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household medicines.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Cannabis can be consumed through smoking, vaporizing the plant-based product, or through edibles (store-bought and home-made candy, oils or baked goods). The amount of THC (the chemical that causes the “high” effect) in edibles can be highly variable, especially in unregulated products. Unregulated means that the products do not come from an authorized provincial or territorial seller.
Poisoning risk
High in children: they are more at risk for severe poisoning. Ingestions can be life-threatening.
Expected symptoms
- Can range from mild drowsiness to coma.
Home treatment
- If a child has ingested a cannabis-containing product, take them to nearest emergency department.
- If an adult has had an unintentional exposure to cannabis and is concerned, call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household hazards and medicines.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Deodorants/antiperspirants are used to control body odour and to reduce perspiration. They are available in solid forms, as well as roll-on gels or sprays. Ingestion of small amounts of any form of these products is not expected to be harmful.
Poisoning risk
Low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- If you have questions, call the Poison Centre.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Disinfectant wipes are used to wipe down surfaces such as countertops, floors, bathroom fixtures and phones. If a child is found chewing on one of these wipes, they may get some of the liquid disinfectant into their mouths. This rarely results in harm.
Poisoning risk
Low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Remove any residual pieces from mouth
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- If you have questions, call the Poison Centre.
- If your child is choking, call 911.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household hazards.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Hand and body lotions are a combination of water, oils, and often fragrances and preservatives. These products are not toxic when swallowed in exploratory ingestions, unless they are medicated (ex/muscle rubs, sunscreens). May cause an upset stomach if swallowed.
Poisoning risk
None/low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- For eye exposures, rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm water, then call the Poison Centre for further advice.
*Note: If lotion or cream is medicated, it may have additional ingredients that may be harmful. Call the Poison Centre right away if this is the case.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Hand sanitizers usually contain a high percentage of alcohol, often ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. The additive fragrance can make them attractive to children, leading to licks/tastes of the gel or liquid. A small/taste ingestion will not intoxicate a child.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on dose/amount ingested.
Low in small/taste amounts.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
- Symptoms of intoxication can range from mild (drowsiness, slurred speech, upset stomach) to severe (coma, seizures).
- Children are more susceptible to a drop in their blood sugar level at toxic amounts.
Home treatment
- Provide juice or milk to drink, or a snack.
- For eye exposures, rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm water.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all of your other household hazards.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Ibuprofen is a common over-the-counter medicine used to treat pain and fever. It can also be found in cold medications and prescription medications, so make sure to always read the label closely to avoid unintentional over-dosing.
Poisoning risk
Dependent on dose ingested.
Expected symptoms
- Can range from mild upset stomach to severe symptoms in larger/toxic amounts, including kidney damage.
Home treatment
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Lip balm contains a wide range of ingredients, and unless it contains sunscreen or is medicated (e.g., contains camphor, benzocaine or salicylic acid), it is not harmful in unintentional ingestions.
Poisoning risk
None/low.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- If lip balm contains sunscreen or is medicated, call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Silica gel comes in paper packages and can be found in many items like shoes, clothing pockets, and in bottles of medicine. The silica gel usually comes in clear/round beads. They are there to help keep things dry. These packets are not toxic but can pose a choking risk if swallowed.
Poisoning risk
None.
Expected symptoms
None.
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink to flush beads into stomach.
- If you have questions, call the Poison Centre.
- If your child is choking, call 911.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Sunscreens contain various active ingredients, some of which are in the aspirin family including homosalate and octisalate. This may result in aspirin poisoning if ingested in large amounts. Most effects from unintentional ingestion are related to additive ingredients including various oils, fragrances or alcohols which are not toxic but can be irritating.
Poisoning risk
Low in small, unintentional exposures.
High in large amounts.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea).
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- For eye exposures, rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm water.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- Every case is different. OPC is available 24hrs/day to provide information for your individual situation. Call 1-800-268-9017 (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 (Local).
Description
Vitamins come in a variety of forms (gummies, chewable tablets, capsules) and are appealing to children as some of them are flavoured to taste like candy. Large, one-time ingestions of multivitamins are generally not a problem unless they contain iron, which can cause toxicity in smaller amounts. Vitamin A can be concerning, but usually requires a very large ingestion to result in toxicity.
Poisoning risk
Low, unless vitamins contain iron.
Expected symptoms
- Possible upset stomach (discomfort, nausea, isolated episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
- Stomach symptoms may be more severe if iron ingested.
Home treatment
- Provide something to drink for dilution.
- Call the Poison Centre for further advice.
Remember:
- This product should be locked up and out of sight with all your other household medicines.
- Always keep this product in its original container.
- Every case is different.
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