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Accidental poisoning and swallowed objects

Mum comforting sad baby
Photo credit: iStock.com / PeopleImages
However careful you are as a parent, accidents can happen. Babies and children are natural explorers and, as they grow, they are often one step ahead of you. It's safest for your baby if you can childproof your home in plenty of time before they reach the next milestone. Find out how to stop your child from getting their hands on something harmful or toxic, and what to if the worst happens.

What are the signs of poisoning?

Sudden, unexplained illness in your child could be a sign of accidental poisoning. If you think your child may have swallowed something harmful, look out for the following:

  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • stomach pain
  • drowsiness, dizziness or weakness
  • fever or chills
  • loss of appetite
  • irritability, possibly caused by a headache
  • difficulty swallowing
  • breathing difficulties
  • dribbling
  • skin rash
  • blue lips and skin
  • burns around your child's nose or mouth
  • blurred or double vision - your child may seem confused
  • seizures
  • loss of consciousness
    (NHS 2021a)
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How can I tell if my baby's swallowed something harmful?

If your child tries to swallow something solid, they may choke on it. You'll notice that your child suddenly can't breathe, speak or cough properly (NHS 2021b). If this is the case, they'll need immediate first aid. Read what to do if your baby chokes.

Sometimes, however, you may not be sure whether your child has swallowed something. If something lodges in their food pipe (oesophagus), you may notice that they:

  • refuse to eat
  • retch or vomit
  • drool more than usual
  • have difficulty swallowing
  • wheeze, because the object is pressing their windpipe
  • have bloodstained saliva
    (Willacy 2021)

If the swallowed object reaches your child's stomach, they may have:

  • a swollen, sore tummy
  • fever
  • repeated vomiting
  • blood in their poo
    (Willacy 2021)

What should I do if my baby swallows something dangerous or toxic?

Try to stay calm so you can think clearly. It'll be easier to keep your child calm if you are too. It'll also help you think about what you need to tell the doctors treating your child (NHS 2021a, SJA 2021a).

Take your child to the accident and emergency (A&E) unit of your local hospital straight away if they have swallowed:

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  • Household chemicals, such as bleach, oven cleaner, toilet cleaner or detergent capsules.
  • Garden chemicals, such as weed killer or slug pellets.
  • Poisonous berries or plants.
  • Medication.
  • A button battery. These can leak caustic soda once they're swallowed, causing internal burns.
  • A sharp object such as glass, or a pin.
    (CAPT nd a, NHS 2021a, OPSS 2019, SJA 2021b, Willacy 2021)

Don't put your hand in your child's mouth or try to make them sick. If your child does vomit, try to get some into a bag or container to give the doctors in A&E (NHS 2021a, SJA 2021a). This may help them work out what’s in the substance your child has swallowed so they can give the right treatment. You can also help doctors by:

  • Finding out what your child has swallowed, and how much.
  • Trying to work out when your child swallowed it.
  • Bringing any packaging from the poison or toxic object, and/or bring a sample of the poison or object, to the hospital.
    (NHS 2021a, SJA 2021a)
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If you think your child has swallowed medicine, call 999 for an ambulance or take them to A&E, (NHS 2021a).

If you're not sure whether your child has swallowed something, take them to the doctor or call NHS 111 just in case, even if they don't have any symptoms (NHS 2021a).

How can I prevent my child from swallowing anything dangerous?

Children love to put things in their mouths. It's how they explore and learn about their world. This is one reason why it's common for young children to swallow something they shouldn't (CAPT nd, RoSPA nd a).

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To keep your child safe, put harmful substances and small objects well out of your child’s reach, locking them away if necessary (CAPT nd, NHS 2021a, RoSPA nd a). All of the following are potentially dangerous:

  • cleaning products and liquid detergent capsules
  • button batteries
  • paint, paint remover and other decorating products
  • garden pesticides
  • pills and medicines, both over-the-counter and prescription
  • alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco and vaping equipment and supplies
  • magnets
  • any sharp object such as broken glass, pins, needles, drawing pins, razors and hairpins
  • coins
  • small toys, such as marbles
  • pencils, pens and their tops
  • house and garden plants and some berries and fungi
  • cosmetics, nail varnish and varnish removers
  • aromatherapy oils
  • perfumes, aftershave, and deodorants
    (CAPT nd, Willacy 2021, NHS 2021a, OPSS 2019, RoSPA nd a, b)

Here's how to keep harmful items out of your child's reach:

  • Keep anything that could be harmful in high or lockable cupboards. This applies to sheds and garages too (CAPT nd, RoSPA nd a).
  • Bear in mind that child-resistant containers are not childproof (CAPT nd). Small children can quickly learn how to remove lids, so lock these containers away too. Don't let your child to play with empty medicine containers. It's an easy way for them to learn how to open them.
  • Don't leave medicines in a room so you remember to take them. Set up a reminder on your phone instead.
  • Don't carry medicines in your pocket or handbag (CAPT nd). Your child may rummage through them when you put them down.
  • Keep medicines, pesticides and cleaning products in their original containers (CAPT nd, RoSPA nd a). Never put poisonous or toxic products in containers that were once used for food and drink, as your child may mistake them for something they can help themselves to (NHS 2021a). Don't store harmful items in food cupboards for the same reason (RoSPA nd a).
  • Never pretend that any sort of medicine is a sweet (CAPT nd, NHS 2021a). Even if you are trying to get a reluctant toddler to take medicine, don't treat it as something tasty. Your child learns by copying you, so take your own medicine when they aren't watching (CAPT nd).
  • Rinse out old medicine or cosmetic containers and throw them away (NHS 2021a). Take old or unused medicines to your local pharmacy to dispose of safely (NHS 2021a).
  • Check toys for wear and tear, especially those that contain batteries. Your child may be able to get a battery out of a worn toy (RoSPA nd b).
  • Check that your child's toys conform to safety standard regulations. Look for the CE mark, or the UKCA mark, which replaces the CE mark (OPSS 2022).
  • When you're on holiday and staying in someone else's house, make a note of where medicines and other dangerous substances are (CAPT nd) so you can keep your child away. Not everyone's home is organised with crawling babies and curious toddlers in mind.
  • Buy cleaning products that contain a bittering agent, such as Bitrex (CAPT nd). If your child does manage to get hold of it and try to drink it, the horrible taste will make them spit it out.

When it comes to toy safety, it's best to match the age range on the packaging to your child's age. Even if your child is ahead of their age in terms of development, they're still too young to understand safety risks, like swallowing something they shouldn't.

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If your baby or toddler has older siblings, teach them about keeping small toys away from their baby sibling.

Find out how to make your home safe with our childproofing checklist before your baby crawls.
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BabyCentre's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organisations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

CAPT. nd. Poisoning. Child Accident Prevention Trust. www.capt.org.ukOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022]

NHS. 2021a. Poisoning. Health A-Z. www.nhs.ukOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022]

NHS. 2021b. How to stop a child from choking. Health A-Z. www.nhs.ukOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022]

OPSS 2019. Button batteries. Be aware! Office for Product Safety A&E Standards. GOV.UKOpens a new window. [Accessed September 2022]

OPSS. 2022. Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011: Great Britain. Updated: July 2022. Office for Product Safety A&E Standards. GOV.UKOpens a new window. [Accessed September 2022]RoSPA. nd a. Household cleaning products. Home safety advice. Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. www.rospa.comOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022]

RoSPA. nd b. Button batteries. Product safety. Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. www.rospa.comOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022]

SJA. 2021a. How to handle difficult first aid situations. First aid advice. St John Ambulance. www.sja.org.ukOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022]

SJA. 2021b. Swallowed poisons. First aid advice. St John Ambulance. www.sja.org.ukOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022]

Willacy, H. 2021. Swallowed foreign bodies. Patient. Professional articles, paediatrics. www.patient.infoOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022]
Jenny Leach is an editor and writer specialising in evidence-based health content.
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