Where can I find information about plants that are toxic to children?

Answer

Ingestion of household plants by children under age five is one of the leading reasons for inquiries to poison control centers nationwide. The best treatment for poisoning is to prevent it from ever happening. Teach children not to taste or play with or eat non-food plants both indoors and outdoors.

There are many houseplants which are perfectly safe to grow, but as lovely and harmless as others may appear, they can be toxic and/or dangerous in other ways. It is important to be as knowledgeable as possible about the plants growing in your home.

Chemicals concentrated in the cells of roots, leaves, bark and seeds serve as the plant's defense against insect and animal attack. Some of these compounds can be toxic, especially if ingested or touched by humans, and can result in adverse reactions.

If a plant has been ingested, identify the plant, learn how much was eaten, contact the poison control center, watch for adverse symptoms, and bring the plant with you if you are advised to go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Always know the national poison control center contact number. (1-800-222-1222)

Making the right choice of plants for environments with children requires consulting the experts on human - plant interactions. The national poison control center can provide information on poisonous plants. You can find more information from these sources:

- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service

  • Last Updated Mar 16, 2021
  • Views 131
  • Answered By Anita Finkle

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