The Ontario Poison Centre regularly determines "Top 10" lists, identifying the top 10 most common types of exposures managed by the Specialists in Poison Information. Over time, these lists have changed, reflecting regulatory changes and other trends happening in Ontario. For instance, pain-relievers containing aspirin used to be one of the most common exposures until child-resistant packaging was introduced in the 1970s. Now, because of safer packaging and the availability of aspirin-free alternative pain relievers on the market, aspirin exposures rarely occur.
Top 10: All ages
- Pain relievers: Medicines that are given to relieve pain are the most common exposure that the Ontario Poison Centre deals with. Most commonly, these pain relievers are acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Sleeping medicines: Many people take a pill to help them fall asleep. These medicines are commonly found in people's homes and are commonly involved in overdose situations.
- Household cleaners: Bleach, all-purpose cleaners, detergents and disinfectants are easily accessed and often not stored safely. Please see the page “Poison prevention ” to learn about storing these products safely.
- Antidepressant medicines: These medicines are commonly prescribed for a variety of reasons.
- Personal care products: This includes products like mouthwash, toothpaste, sunscreen, perfume, cosmetics, nail polish and nail polish removers.
- Alcohols: These may include products such as regular drinking alcohol, rubbing alcohol, windshield washer fluid and antifreeze.
- Heart and blood pressure medicines: Medicines that are taken for certain heart conditions and to lower your blood pressure can be very dangerous if a young child gets into them by mistake, or if not taken as prescribed.
- Stimulants and street drugs: Stimulants, sometimes called “uppers”, temporarily increase alertness and energy. They are in a variety of street drugs but can also be found in prescription medicines such as some used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Not all street drugs are stimulants: some are depressants ("downers") or hallucinogens. There is no established "safe" amount of consumption for street drugs.
- Vitamins: Many people believe that vitamins are natural remedies and therefore cannot be toxic, but some vitamins can actually be very harmful if taken in a large quantity.
- Anti-seizure medicines: Medicines to control seizure activity can be dangerous when taken incorrectly.
Top 10: Children younger than 6 years of age
- Household cleaners: Bleach, all-purpose cleaners, detergents and disinfectants are easily accessed and often not stored safely. Please see the page "Poison prevention" to learn about storing these products safely.
- Personal care products: Young children often try to taste toothpaste, creams, perfumes and other personal care products/cosmetics.
- Pain relievers: These medicines often contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen. They are commonly found in people’s homes and should be locked up with the rest of your family’s medicine.
- Foreign bodies: Although these are not actually poisonous substances, they can still be hazardous due to the risk of choking or obstruction (becoming stuck during digestion).
- Vitamins: Make sure to teach young children that vitamins are medicine. Keep them locked up with the rest of your family’s medicine.
- Plants: Young children will often be tempted to bite into a leaf of a plant. Some are harmful and others are not. Know the names of all plants growing in and around your home. Please see the page "Plant safety" to learn more.
- Herbal and homeopathic remedies, dietary supplements: Remember: “natural” does not necessarily mean that a product is safe. Do not use these products without speaking with your doctor first. Keep them locked up with your other medicines.
- Skin creams: There are many creams and ointments that are appealing to young children. These may include sore muscle rubs, steroid creams, wart removers and calamine lotions.
- Pesticides: These substances are used to get rid of pests. Exposure to more dangerous pesticides is less frequent because of stronger regulation of these substances.
- Stomach remedies: These include products like laxatives, anti-diarrheal medicines and antacids.