The national health safety agency (ANSES) is interested in the most frequent and serious causes of poisoning in children. The opportunity to remind the basic rules and raise awareness among the general public of safety rules at home.
Domestic accidents often affect children, especially when they are very young, when they start walking and put all kinds of things in their mouth.
Anses, the national health safety agency, with Public Health France, studied the most frequent and serious causes of poisoning in children, reported to Poison Control Centers between 2014 and 2020. Here is what it emerges from their work.
Four major causes of poisoning are highlighted
The four most common and serious causes of poisoning in children are cleaning products, medications, heating appliances and button batteries. These objectsare part of our daily lives but can be sources of accidents for our children” recalls the Agency.
Among cleaning products, liquid laundry detergent pods represent the leading cause of poisoning. Colorful and soft, they explode easily in the hands of toddlers, who mistake them for toys. Accidents are still too frequent although ANSES reports “a reduction by half of these poisonings thanks to compulsory European measures taken from 2015”.
In fact, liquid laundry detergent can cause significant damage to the health of children such as:respiratory distress in the event of misdirection or serious corneal damage in the event of ocular projection”.
In the same vein, unblockers for pipes “also cause serious poisoning in the event of accidental ingestion, due to corrosive damage to the esophagus and stomach..
Medicines and carbon monoxide are also sources of accidents
Among the other causes of accidents, we find medications, which are responsible “frequent and serious poisonings in children under six years old“Different molecules are responsible, ranging from ibuprofen to aspirin via paracetamol, antidepressants, anxiolytics or even drugs for the cardiovascular system, reports ANSES.
Carbon monoxide is also a danger in homes. “This colorless and odorless toxic gas can be produced during improper use of heating appliances. and he is “the leading cause of intensive care hospitalization for children under one year old“.
Cannabis and button batteries, other serious causes of poisoning
Button batteries are small objects that children can also easily swallow. Be careful of this type of accident, because if ingested, they can cause potentially fatal damage to the esophagus. Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of TipsForWomens, reminds us that it is necessary “secure the house which remains the place most at risk”.
But, adds the doctor, “all these security measures never replace the vigilance and anticipation of those around you“He also insists on button batteries, which he describes as “formidable.”As soon as there is any doubt about potential ingestion, you must consult urgently to have the battery removed.” recommends the expert.
Finally, ANSES reports a worrying figure: between 2014 and 2020, “Poisoning by ingestion of cannabis has increased in frequency, particularly among children under one year old, but also in severity: the percentage of admission to intensive care following a visit to the emergency room has doubled among children under six years old ( from 5% to 11%)”.
How to prevent these accidents?
To limit the risk of accident, ANSES reminds you of the few essential actions to take. At home, you must:
- Keep small objects or products out of reach of the child, including when he or she is not at home;
- Avoid unpacking, that is to say transferring a household product into a bottle of water, soda or fruit juice, because children are particularly exposed to accidental ingestion;
- Store all medications, those prescribed for children, those for the whole family or even those for pets;
- Ensure the proper use of heating appliances with a risk of carbon monoxide emissions.
Slide: Children: domestic accidents, 10 actions that save
