Table 3 Recommendations and sources of the evidence for preventing poisoning
From: Prevention of unintentional injuries in children under five years
Recommendations | Guidelines and/or institutions recommending the intervention | Source of the evidence |
|---|---|---|
Remove the toxic agent | - WHO 2008; European region [1] - RCPCH 2019 [2] | - Flanagan 2005; cohort study [52] - Roberts 2003; cohort study [53] |
Packaging - Pass and enforce legislation requiring child-resistant packaging of medicines and poisons - Packaging drugs in non-lethal quantities | - WHO 2008; European region [1] - EuroSafe 2006 [13] | - Flanagan 2005; cohort study [52] - European laws and regulations 2008 [54] |
Poison control centres - Establishing poison control centres - Having a poison control centre sticker available - Know the nationwide poison control centre phone number | - WHO 2008; European region [1] - PrevInfad 2011 [42] - CDC 2019 [16] - EuroSafe 2006 [13] | - IPCS INTOX Programme [49] - WHO resources for poisons centre [55] - Kendrick 2013; Cochrane systematic review [51] - Kendrick 2012; Cochrane systematic review [46] - Bateman 2002; cohort study [56] |
Secure storage Lock away medicines and other toxic substances | - WHO 2008; European region [1] - PrevInfad 2011 [42] - RCPCH 2019 [2] - CDC 2019 [16] - EuroSafe 2006 [13] | - Kendrick 2013; Cochrane systematic review [51] - Kendrick 2012; Cochrane systematic review [46] - Turner 2011; Cochrane systematic review [50] |
Remove or regulate availability of toxic substances that are easily mistaken for edible items | - WHO 2008; European region [1] | (See original documents) |
Teach children to avoid poisonous substances | - WHO 2008; European region [1] | (See original documents) |
Attractiveness of medications and poisons - Reduce the attractiveness of medications and poisonous products - Do not call medicine ‘candy’ | - WHO 2008; European region [1] - CDC 2019 [16] | (See original documents) |
Provide home safety education and safety equipment | - WHO 2008; European region [1] | - Kendrick 2013; Cochrane systematic review [51] - Turner 2011; Cochrane systematic review [50] |
Safe use of syrup of ipecac Routine administration of ipecac at the site of ingestion or in the emergency department should be avoided | - PrevInfad 2011 [42] | - Kendrick 2012; Cochrane systematic review [46] - Höjer 2013; systematic review [57] |