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Plants - Poison Prevention Tips

Plants

Household plants are one of the leading causes of unintentional poisonings in children under age 6. Poisonous plants have substances that may cause a mild stomachache, serious illness, or even death. Ask a landscape center or nursery to identify your indoor and outdoor plants. Call the poison center to find out if they are poisonous. Put a label on each plant with the common and botanical name. Keep all poisonous plants, bulbs, seeds, and plant foods where children cannot reach them. Teach children not to put leaves, stems, bark, berries, seeds, or nuts from any plant into their mouths. Do not think a plant is not poisonous because an animal eats it. Do not rely on cooking to destroy poisons in plants

Mushrooms

Consider outdoor mushrooms as poisonous. Check your yard regularly for mushrooms, especially in the spring, autumn and after a rainfall. Remove mushrooms in your yard and throw them away. Teach children never to touch, taste, or eat any outdoor mushroom.

Grass

Grasses used in lawns are not generally considered poisonous. However, toxicity may occur from materials spread or sprayed on the grass. Fertilizers, pesticides or toxic plants mixed in with the grass are a few examples.

Fertilizers

Some fertilizers contain herbicides, insecticides, arsenic, copper, lead, iron, zinc, and other additives. Toxicity may develop due to these ingredients.

Poinsettia

The Poinsettia is not considered as poisonous as once thought. However, that is not to say you should eat one. If eaten the poinsettia may cause some stomach discomfort.

Peppers (chile, jalapeno, habaņero, bell and cayenne are a few examples)

Contact with peppers may cause irritation or burning to parts of the body that come in contact with the peppers. This often occurs on the skin, hands and in the eyes. When working with peppers, wear gloves and avoid rubbing the eyes.

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