Poisons at home

Poisons at home might include:

  • medicines
  • vapes and liquids for vaping
  • cleaning, dishwasher and laundry products
  • insect and weed killers
  • rat baits
  • batteries, including button batteries
  • essential oils
  • pool and car products, petrol.

Poisons at the workplace

Poisons in the workplace might include:

  • solvents
  • pesticides
  • paints
  • glues
  • acids
  • industrial cleaning products.

First aid for household and workplace poisoning

Call Triple Zero (000) if someone has collapsed or isn't breathing. Otherwise, call us on 13 11 26 for advice.

Swallowed poison

  1. Don't try to make them vomit.
  2. Wipe or rinse their mouth or face.

Poison in the eye

  1. Gently flood the eye with water from a cup, jug or slowly running tap.
  2. Continue to flush for 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open.

Poison on the skin

  1. Remove contaminated clothing, taking care that you don’t touch the poison.
  2. Flood the skin with cool running water.
  3. Wash gently with soap and water and rinse well.

Inhaled poison

  1. Immediately get the person to fresh air, but don’t place yourself at risk.
  2. Don't breathe any fumes.
  3. If it’s safe to do so, open the doors and windows wide.
  4. If the person has collapsed, or isn't breathing, call Triple Zero (000) and start resuscitation (CPR).

Find out about how to perform CPR on the Healthdirect website.

If you need help

If you need fast poisoning advice, call 13 11 26. If someone has collapsed or isn't breathing only call us after you’ve called Triple Zero (000). We can help you anywhere in Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you call us, you'll talk to a pharmacist trained in the harmful effects of poisons. Before calling, get the name of the product and any information about the ingredients from the label, if possible.

Preventing poisoning at home

You can help prevent poisoning at home by following a few tips.

General tips

  • Store medicines, including non-prescription and vitamins, where children can’t reach them
  • Put child proof locks on all doors where you store poisons or put them in a high, locked cupboard
  • Always tightly close and put away medicines and poisons after using them
  • Keep poisons in their original containers, never put them in another container, especially drink or food containers
  • Don't bring or use industrial strength chemicals at home

Many poisonings happen when poisons are outside their normal secure storage area. For example, just after purchase, when being used, when moving house or when visiting other people’s homes.

Baits and other pest-control poisons

Use rat, ant and cockroach baits that are enclosed in plastic bait stations. These are harder for children to access than loose pellets or gels.

Household chemicals

  • Always follow the instructions when using chemicals and cleaning products
  • Oven cleaners and drain cleaners are high risk products, store them away from children
  • Always close the dishwasher door and make sure children can't access undissolved dishwasher tablets or powder
  • Store toilet bowl cleaners away from children and make sure they can't get toilet rim blocks from the toilet
  • Clean paint brushes immediately
  • Be careful when using pool chemicals to avoid breathing them in or getting them in your eyes
  • Vaporiser fluids, chest rubs, and essential oils can make children very sick if swallowed, always use as directed.

Alcohol, cigarettes and vapes

  • Don’t give children tastes of alcoholic drinks, it can be dangerous if they swallow any
  • Keep ashtrays and cigarettes away from children
  • Keep vapes out of reach of children, if the liquid inside the vape is swallowed by a child it can be very dangerous

Preventing poisoning in the workplace

The Queensland Government WorkSafe website has information about hazardous chemicals in workplaces.

Last updated: July 2023