By KIM RUSCOE - Otago University's Injury Prevention Research Unit figures show 1831 children were poisoned between 2000 and 2004. Eighty per cent of victims were under the age of 5.
Prescription and unspecified legal and illegal drugs accounted for 1224 (70 per cent) of the poisonings, including 88 through accidental exposure to alcohol. Chemicals and cleaners were responsible for the remaining 30 per cent. Three-quarters of poisonings happened in and around the home.

Canterbury had the worst record for child poisonings, with 189 under-15-year-olds being admitted to hospital during the four-year period.

Wellington had 93 admissions and Hutt Valley 80.

Safekids New Zealand director Ann Weaver said there was no reason any child should be poisoned.

"Poisoning can be prevented simply, with no or little cost," she said. Medicines, chemicals and cleaners should be kept out of the reach and sight of children and containers kept closed.
The National Poisons Centre introduced an interactive spot-the-poison website for children yesterday, to help them identify what was poisonous around the home and garden. Centre director Wayne Temple said the website would continue to be upgraded.

Safekids kicked off a year-long campaign yesterday promoting the prevention of child poisonings and falls.
Source: www.stuff.co.nz