Poisons in the home

• Medication errors, especially in elderly people with multiple treatments.
• Accidental poisoning may occur in the home or workplace.
• Recreational poisoning from the intake of alcohol and/or various illicit drugs or chemicals.
• Deliberate self-poisoning - any person attempting deliberate self-harm should always be referred to hospital for assessment and counselling.
• Occupational/industrial poisoning related to exposure to chemicals, gases or other substances in the workplace.

Some medicines are more dangerous than others:

• Opioids such as codeine, fentanyl and oxycodone. Mixing opioids with alcohol or other medicines such as antidepressants can increase your chance of harm.
• Paracetamol is the one of the most common causes of people being admitted to hospital for accidental overdose.
• Sedating medications such as sleeping tablets, antipsychotics and some ADHD medications.

• Dispose of unwanted household chemicals
• Dispose of unwanted or expired medicines at your local pharmacy or through Return of Unwanted Medicines
• Learn more about accidental overdose of medicines

• Hand sanitiser
• Button batteries
• Essential oils eg eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil
• Pool products
• Car products including petrol
• Medicines
• Cleaning, dishwashing or laundry products
• Insect and weed killers
• Rat baits

A button battery is a small flat battery, shaped like a button. They vary in size. All button batteries are dangerous but the most common size to cause damage is the size of a 10 cent piece (2cm wide).

First aid

• If your child is having difficulty breathing, call 000.
• If your child is breathing normally, call the Poisons information centre on 13 11 26.
• Do not try to make your child vomit.
• Do not let your child eat or drink while awaiting medical advice.

Where button batteries are used

• Small electrical products such as calculators, remote controls or reading lights
• Hearing aids
• Toys and musical greeting cards
• Flameless candles
• Medical equipment such as thermometers
• Be careful around new gifts or devices

Learn more about button batteries

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a clear gas that you cannot smell. It is produced when any organic substance (e.g. wood, fuel, coal) does not burn completely. 

First aid

• If someone has collapsed and not breathing call 000
• If you think someone has carbon monoxide poisoning call the Poisons Information Centre on 131126 

Sources of carbon monoxide:

• Barbecue grills
• Outdoor heaters
• Bonfires and fire pits
• Car, boat or generator exhausts
• Gas heaters if they are connected to the wrong source

How carbon monoxide poisoning occurs:

• Poisoning occurs most often when outside heating and cooking items are brought inside to an enclosed area.
• When there is not enough air to burn the substance cleanly, carbon monoxide is produced and inhalation can cause poisoning.
• This often happens at night when using inexpensive heating inside camping or temporary accomodation
• Poisoning also occurs when cars, boats or generators, especially diesel ones, are left running in an enclosed space.

Preventing poisoning:

• Ensure outdoor BBQs and heaters are used in an open area outside.
• Only use approved indoor heaters inside for warmth and have these serviced at least every 2 years by a registered gas fitter. This will ensure emission levels are safe.
• Leave coals from BBQs, heaters and bonfires outside. They can produce CO even if there is no smoke.
• If using a generator, make sure it's outlet is positioned away from the house.
• Do not leave a car running in a garage or car park even if the garage door is open.

Symptoms of poisoning:

• Headache, dizziness or feeling faint and weak.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Extended exposures can cause seizures, coma, permanent brain injury or in serious cases, death.

Learn more about CO poisoning

Lead is poisonous if swallowed. If lead is allowed to enter a child's body it can cause serious long-term health problems. 

First aid

• If your child has swallowed a solid lead item, take them to hospital.
• Contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or your GP for further advice if you think your child may have been exposed to lead.

Common sources of lead exposure in Australia:

• Paint in older buildings: Lead-based paint from buildings built before 1970 has a sweet taste which is appealing to children. Sanding lead based paint creates dust that can be inhaled or swallowed.
• Older buildings: Lead in roofing materials and contaminated water from pipes. Lead is used in making both old and new taps. New plumbing may release low levels of lead for up to 5 years.
• Imported toys and cosmetics: Lead-containing paint used in toys can be dangerous, some Hashmi eyeliners imported from overseas have been found to contain lead.
• Environment: Lead based fuel was banned in Australia in 2002. The lead contamination in soil, the environment and home from previous heavy motor traffic can still result in increased lead levels in children.

Preventing lead exposure:

• Test for lead in any pre-1970 paint in your home and contact a professional for lead paint removal.
• Avoid homes and child care near any known lead industry.
• Limit the use and purchase of lead-based products and keep lead based products secure from children.
• Wash your children's hands regularly to minimise the amount of dust and dirt that is transferred from their hands to the mouth.
• Dust and mop with a damp cloth regularly to remove lead containing dust.
• Encourage a diet with plenty of foods rich in iron, calcium and vitamin C, minimising lead absorption.
• Be cautious of imported cosmetics, alternative medicines and toys.
• Keep dust contaminated clothes from work places where there is lead out of the home and away from children.

High levels of exposure at one time can cause:

• Muscle pains and abdominal discomfort
• Lethargy  and headaches
• Vomiting, fits or coma

Ongoing exposure can cause:

• Learning disabilities or impaired growth
• Poor hearing and coordination
• Behavioural problems
• Poor school performance

Healthdirect information about lead exposure

NSW Health information about lead exposure

Vapes are battery operated devices that heat a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale. 

• Most vapes contain nicotine which is highly addictive and can be poisonous, particularly to young children.
• Vapes can contain over 200 chemicals including the same harmful ones found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray.
• All e-cigarettes and e-liquids (with and without nicotine) and e-cigarette accessories can now only be supplied by a pharmacist, medical practitioner or nurse practitioner.

Symptoms of poisoning can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Increased heart rate
• Agitation
• Seizures and heart arrythmias in severe cases

First aid:

• If your child has accessed a vape or another nicotine product call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
• If you suspect or know of someone that has overdosed on a vape or other nicotine product, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
• If someone has collapsed or is not breathing, call 000.

Learn more about vaping from NSW Health

Learn more about children, teenagers and vaping

Pesticide poisoning can occur from inhalation, ingestion and skin exposure. If you or someone you know have been poisoned, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. 

Common pesticides include:

• Herbicides — which kill weeds
• Insecticides — which kill insects
• Bactericide — which kill bacteria
• Fungicides — which kill fungi

Accidental exposures will usually cause symptoms within a few hours but rarely can occur after 12 hours. Anyone with deliberate self-poisoning exposure needs to attend hospital immediately.  Symptoms include:

• Headaches, extreme weakness and unconsciousness
• Irritated skin and eyes
• Sore throat or cough
• Diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting
• Seizures

Learn more about pesticides

Cleaning products can be poisonous when inhaled, touched or swallowed. Use them in a ventilated area and don't mix chemicals together.

Common ones include:

• Oven cleaners and drain cleaners. These are high risk products, store them away from children.
• Cleaning, dishwasher and laundry products.
• Bathroom, shower or toilet cleaning products.