If a child eats a poisonous substance, the first step is to give charcoal tablets or ordinary charcoal to adsorb the poison.

It is not advisable to induce vomiting because the vomit may get into the airway. If the poison has spilt on the child’s skin or clothes, it should be washed off immediately.

It is common for children to eat poison or to be poisoned. In fact many children especially those below the age of 10 die after eating poisonous substance.

Ends