ABSTRACT
Accidental poisoning is very common, resulting in over 40 000 attendances at casualty each year. It is most common in young children, particularly 1-3 year olds. A wide variety of medicines, household products and plants are ingested. Fewer than 30 children a year die as a result of poisoning, but large numbers of children are seen and observed in an attempt to prevent these occasional deaths. Education of parents about the dangers of poisoning and the use of lockable cupboards, childproof containers and blister packaging have all helped to reduce the incidence of serious poisoning.
