VivA Vitality: Little hands, big risks: Preventing medication poisoning in kids

By Lisa Doyle on March 28, 2025.

A moment of curiosity can turn into an emergency in seconds, especially when medications are within a child’s reach. Every year, thousands of children in Canada experience unintentional poisonings, and medications are a leading cause.

Last year alone, Alberta’s Poison and Drug Information Centre (PADIS) received over 1,000 calls about children aged 0 to 5 who had ingested ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Alarmingly, half of all poisonings in this age group that required hospital treatment involved medications.

Young children are naturally curious and explore their surroundings with little understanding of potential dangers. They might grab a pill bottle left on the kitchen counter, open a purse and find loose medication, or even try to be helpful by giving medicine to a sibling. In some cases, parents or caregivers may unknowingly give a child two doses of medication due to miscommunication, such as one parent administering a dose without realizing the other has already given it. These situations can lead to serious health risks, but they are preventable with careful storage and communication.

How can we keep kids safe?

When giving medication:

– Follow dosage instructions carefully and double-check labels before giving medicine.

– Keep a record of when medication is given to prevent duplicate doses.

– Do not give multiple medications that contain the same active ingredient, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, at the same time.

When storing medication:

– Keep medication locked up tight, out of sight and out of reach of children.

– Always store medicine safely after each use.

– Ensure that guests keep their bags, coats, and purses containing medication away from children.

– Store medications in their original packaging to ensure proper labeling and instructions are available.

Suspect a poisoning? Act!

Call the toll-free, 24/7 poison centre helpline at 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) for suspected poisonings. In an emergency, always call 911 immediately.

By taking these simple steps, we can prevent unintentional poisonings and keep children safe. Let’s work together to raise awareness and ensure that every child in our community is protected from the dangers of medication poisoning. For more tips and resources, visit the Injury Prevention Centre.

Lisa Doyle is a health promotion facilitator with Alberta Health Services.

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