Household poisonings on the rise
Elders with memory issues take meds in excess
Household poisoning incidents are on the rise, with children accounting for the majority of accidental exposures, according to the National Poison Information Centre at the National Hospital, Colombo.Addressing the media at the Health Promotion Bureau, Consultant Physician and Head of the Centre Dr G.P.S. Asiri said the increase had been observed through calls received by the Centre and available data.He said most household poisoning incidents occurred due to a lack of awareness or by mistake, with children particularly vulnerable to accidental exposure.Dr Asiri said medicines, household chemicals and cleaning products were among the substances that could cause poisoning. Insecticides, herbicides and other agrochemicals, as well as certain poisonous plants and animals found around homes, could also pose a risk.According to Dr Asiri, medicines were often kept in easily accessible places such as tables, creating a risk for young children. Sweet and coloured syrups could be particularly attractive to children, while medicines used by adults to treat non-communicable diseases and other illnesses could also cause poisoning if taken in excessive amounts. He advised people to keep medicines in places that children could not easily reach and, where possible, in locked storage.
He also warned that older people, particularly those with memory problems or conditions such as dementia, could accidentally take their medicines more than once and suffer poisoning. “We receive calls about such incidents as well,” he said.Dr Asiri recommended that medicines for older people be given in the correct quantities under the supervision or guidance of an adult who was familiar with their medication.He stressed that medicines should always be taken according to a doctor’s instructions and in the prescribed dosage.
Meanwhile, Poison Prevention Week will be observed from 21 September under the theme ‘Towards a Poisoning-Free Home’.
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