Project aims to cut child poisoning

INCIDENTS of child poisoning should be reduced under a new project run by the City of Greater Dandenong.
Poisoning is the second highest cause of death in children aged up to four, according to data from Monash University’s Accident Research Centre. Children who come in contact with medicines, cleaning products, petrol, weed killers, bleaches, eucalyptus oil and other chemicals can be easily poisoned.
The council’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurses will now work with the State Government to reduce the incidents to educate the parents who call upon the MCH on the poisoning dangers different products pose.
Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea said most parents believed poisoning wouldn’t happen to their children.
“(But) at least eight children a day receive medical attention in Victoria after swallowing poison,” he said.
The campaign will be dubbed Remove the Risk, Put Poisons Away, Straight Away, and more information is available at www.health.vic.gov.au.