Every year, thousands of toddlers and young children end up in emergency rooms because they got into medicine they weren’t supposed to. It’s not because parents are careless-it’s because medication poisoning happens in split seconds, often when no one is looking. A child climbs onto a stool, reaches into a purse left on the couch, or finds a bottle that looks like candy. And in that moment, everything changes.
In Australia, as in the U.S. and elsewhere, the majority of these incidents happen at home. And the most dangerous part? Most of them are preventable. You don’t need expensive gadgets or perfect memory. You just need to change a few habits-and know what to look for.
Where Poisoning Happens (And Why It’s Not Where You Think)
Most people assume medicine is safe if it’s up high. But toddlers can climb. By 18 months, many kids can pull themselves up on furniture, use chairs as ladders, and reach countertops. A 2022 study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that 78% of poisoning incidents involved medicines stored below 4 feet-right at a toddler’s eye level.
And it’s not just your medicine cabinet. Thirty percent of exposures come from visitors’ belongings. Grandparents leave pills in their purse. Aunts forget their inhaler on the coffee table. Even a bottle of children’s ibuprofen left on the bathroom counter while you run the bath can be enough.
One mother in Sydney told me her 2-year-old got into a bottle of acetaminophen she’d set down while answering the door. She didn’t think it was a big deal-it was just one dose. But by the time she noticed the empty bottle, her child was already drowsy. That’s the problem: you don’t get a warning.
What Medicines Are Most Dangerous?
Not all pills are equal. The most common culprits in poisonings are over-the-counter meds that seem harmless:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Even a small overdose can cause liver failure.
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) - Can lead to stomach bleeding or kidney damage.
- Aspirin - Risk of Reye’s syndrome in children under 12.
- Antihistamines (Benadryl) - Can cause extreme drowsiness, seizures, or coma.
- Liquid nicotine (e-cigarette fluid) - As little as 0.5 mL can be fatal to a toddler.
These aren’t rare cases. In the U.S., analgesics like acetaminophen and ibuprofen made up over 30% of all childhood poisonings in 2023. And it’s not just pills-liquid forms are especially dangerous because they look like juice or candy.
Stop Relying on Child-Resistant Caps
You’ve seen them. The ones that click, twist, or require two hands. They’re called “child-resistant,” not “childproof.” And there’s a big difference.
Studies show that 85% of toddlers can open these caps within 5 minutes if they’re determined. One 2022 UCSF study found kids as young as 15 months learned how to pop them open after watching a parent do it once.
So don’t depend on the cap. Don’t even think about it as your main defense. It’s a backup. The real protection? Locked storage.
Lock It Up-For Real
The single most effective step you can take? Put all medications in a locked cabinet. Not just “out of reach.” Not just “on the top shelf.” Locked.
Use magnetic locks that automatically engage when the door closes. Install them at least 54 inches above the floor-higher than most toddlers can reach, even with climbing. And make sure every room has one: bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, even the guest room.
Here’s a simple test: Get down on your hands and knees. Look around the room like a 2-year-old would. Can they see a bottle? Can they reach it? If yes, it’s not safe.
Some pharmacies in Sydney now offer free lock boxes for families with toddlers. These are small, sturdy containers with keypads or keys. One 2022 program saw a 41% drop in accidental exposures among families who used them.
Never, Ever Call Medicine “Candy”
This one sounds obvious-but it happens more than you think.
“This will taste like grape juice.” “I’ll give you a sweet for your ear.” “Here’s your medicine candy.”
A 2021 analysis from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that kids who were told medicine was candy were 3.2 times more likely to take it without asking. They don’t just confuse it-they actively seek it out.
Even if you’re joking, the message sticks. Say “medicine” every time. Be clear. Be serious. It’s not a treat. It’s not a game. It’s a tool-and it can be deadly if used wrong.
Measure Right-No Kitchen Spoons
One in two dosing mistakes happens because parents use kitchen spoons. A teaspoon isn’t a teaspoon. Your spoon might hold 4 mL. Mine might hold 6. The one from the pharmacy? Exactly 5 mL.
Studies show household spoons vary by 20-40% in volume. That means a child could get half a dose-or double it-just because you used a spoon.
Always use the measuring tool that comes with the medicine: a syringe, a dosing cup, or a dropper with milliliter markings. Keep it with the bottle. And never guess.
Watch Out for Visitors and Changes in Routine
Medication poisonings spike during holidays, visits, and travel. Why? Because routines break.
Grandparents don’t know your rules. Visitors leave pills in their bags. A new babysitter doesn’t know where you store medicine. A trip to the beach means leaving meds in a cooler or beach bag.
Here’s what works: Before anyone comes over, say this: “We’ve got a toddler at home. Could you please keep your pills and vitamins in your bag or car?” Most people will understand. And if they don’t? Bring a lock box with you.
Also, anticipate growth. If your child is starting to climb, secure the medicine cabinet before they start scaling the couch. Don’t wait for the accident.
Know What to Do in an Emergency
If you think your child swallowed medicine-don’t wait. Don’t call your pediatrician first. Don’t Google symptoms.
Call Poison Control immediately: 1-800-222-1222. It’s free. It’s available 24/7. And they’ll tell you exactly what to do.
Most poisonings don’t need an ER visit. But they need expert advice-fast. Studies show that calling within 5 minutes improves outcomes by 89%.
Post the number on your fridge, your bathroom mirror, and your phone. Teach older siblings what to do. Practice the call like you’d practice fire drills.
And if your child is unresponsive, not breathing, or having seizures-call 000 (Australia’s emergency number) immediately. While you wait, start CPR if you’ve been trained. Even basic training can save a life.
What About Smart Medicine Containers?
There’s new tech on the horizon. Smart pill bottles that send alerts to your phone if they’re opened. Caps that track when they were last used. Some pilot programs in the U.S. showed a 63% drop in unsupervised access.
But right now? You don’t need tech. You need habits.
Locking, measuring, storing, and knowing the emergency number-that’s the real solution. It’s not glamorous. But it works.
Final Checklist: 5 Things to Do Today
- Lock all medicine in a cabinet with magnetic locks-at least 54 inches high.
- Remove all pills from purses, bags, nightstands, and coat pockets.
- Use only dosing tools that show milliliters-no spoons.
- Post Poison Control’s number (1-800-222-1222) in every room.
- Never say “candy” when giving medicine-say “medicine” every time.
These aren’t extra steps. They’re your family’s safety net. And they take less than 10 minutes to set up.
