“We are seeing either children are taking the medication in an inappropriate amount intentionally or accidentally ingesting it,” said Stephanie Felton, D.O., associate medical director for the emergency department at the medical center in Fort Worth. 

The trend mirrors a similar spike seen at Cook Children’s in 2020. During that year, patients reported getting the idea from TikTok videos claiming users could hallucinate by taking a dozen or more allergy pills. While that trend eventually faded through education and public awareness, a recent resurgence has prompted medical experts to issue a new alert for parents and caregivers.

“These are heartbreaking cases because these are usually normal, healthy, fully-functioning children that can have dire effects because of this choice,” said Dr. Felton.

She adds that these incidents often bring to light underlying issues, including bullying or psychiatric illnesses such as depression or anxiety.

The Power of Open Dialogue

Medical experts say open communication is the first line of defense in preventing an overdose. Dr. Felton acknowledges these can be difficult conversations, however, she emphasizes it can make a potentially life-saving difference.

“Be aware of what they're dealing with, their environments, what they're looking at, what they're watching,” explained Dr. Felton. “Ask them questions, direct questions.” 

Because Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter medication, it is easily accessible to children and teens. Experts say it is important to communicate that consuming any medication improperly can be detrimental to a person's health in both the short and long term. 

“There is specific per age, per weight, how much you can take of a medication, if you go outside of that you can cause harm to your body,” said Dr. Felton.

Recognizing an overdose

While it may seem trivial because it is an over-the-counter medication, Dr. Felton explains that an overdose can have lifelong effects. This includes heart arrhythmias, electrolyte abnormalities, or urinary retention that can impact the kidneys. Hallucinations can also affect the brain.

Monitor for these symptoms of an overdose:

• Hot but not with a fever
• Pupillary size
• Heart arrhythmias
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Hallucination

Tips for Poison Prevention: 

Safe Medication Dosing 

• Follow the dosing directions listed on the medication by using the appropriate measuring items, such as a medicine cup or oral syringe.
• Double dosing is NOT twice as effective, and in many instances can cause internal damage.
• Adult medications may be too strong for children and should not be given in half doses. Only give medicine to your child that is intended for children.
• Print the medication schedule to keep the right dosage for your family. 

Safe Storage 

• Many people leave medications on bathroom and kitchen counters as well as bedroom nightstands as a visual reminder to take them. Avoid unintentional injury and store medication up high, locked, and out of reach.
• Hang purses and personal bags up high so children cannot reach prescriptions, vitamins, or other regularly used medications.
• Remember, when visiting friends and family, it is ok to have an open discussion about safe storage. 

Safe Disposal 

• DEA Drug Take Back Day is on April 25th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Visit a medication drop box at a local pharmacy. For more information on poison prevention, visit www.meddropbox.org.
• The best disposal option is to find a drug take-back location, which may be found in retail, hospital, pharmacies, and/or law enforcement facilities.
• Removing any unused or expired medication in the home can reduce the risk of access. 

 Related Stories:

• Spring Break with Allergies: Things to Be on the Lookout For This Season
• Cook Children's Experts Warn of Dangerous Social Media Challenges on 'The Doctors'
• TikTok Videos Encourage Viewers to Overdose on Benadryl

With respiratory illnesses on the rise for both adults and children, many families are turning to cough medications for much-needed seasonal relief. Cook Children’s Health Care System is providing essential safety guidance regarding Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) after seeing cases of accidental ingestion. While effective for older children and adults, health experts are highlighting the importance of strict storage and dosing to prevent accidental ingestion in younger children.

 “Tessalon Perles are used to treat cough for kids over 10 but no safe dosing for younger children has been established,” said Mariana Wilson, M.D., medical director, Cook Children’s Medical Center- Prosper hospitalist. 

Because these liquid-filled capsules can resemble candy, they pose a significant risk to toddlers. Clinical data shows that even a small amount of benzonatate can be toxic to a young child; a recent tragedy in Denton County has prompted local experts to remind families of the need for secure storage.

“Unintentional poisoning can happen to anyone, at any age,” said Klaressa Broughton, poison prevention program coordinator at the Center for Community Health. Broughton explains that these incidents, affecting children from birth through age 18, primarily involved medications and unspecified non-drug poisonings.

In 2025, Cook Children’s Medical Center - Fort Worth saw an increase of poisoning encounters: 1,031 cases compared to 818 in 2024. Broughton explains that the top poisoning for 2025 involved children of all ages from birth to 18 and were related to medication and unspecified non-drug poisonings.  

“If the capsules are chewed, then release of benzonatate from the capsule in the mouth can produce a temporary numbing of the mouth and choking could occur,” explained Wilson. “If parents find a chewed capsule, even if it’s not completely consumed, they should call poison control or come to the ED,” said Wilson.

Cook Children’s experts share what care givers should know to keep their children safe.

Symptoms of Overdose

Symptoms of a benzonatate overdose can appear rapidly, often within 15 to 20 minutes of ingestion:

• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Cardiac arrest

“With technology at our fingertips, it is easy to turn to the internet browser for answers, but this can lead to unclear next steps,” said Broughton. “Calling the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 is free, confidential and all calls are answered by specially trained nurses, doctors and pharmacists.”

If a child becomes unresponsive, call 911 immediately.

Tips for Poison Prevention: 

Safe Medication Dosing 

• Follow the dosing directions listed on the medication by using the appropriate measuring items, such as a medicine cup or oral syringe.
• Double dosing is NOT twice as effective, and in many instances can cause internal damage.
• Adult medications may be too strong for children and should not be given in half doses. Only give medicine to your child that is intended for children.
• Print the medication schedule to keep the right dosage for your family. 

Safe Storage 

• Many people leave medications on bathroom and kitchen counters as well as bedroom nightstands as a visual reminder to take them. Avoid unintentional injury and store medication up high, locked, and out of reach.
• Hang purses and personal bags up high so children cannot reach prescriptions, vitamins, or other regularly used medications.
• Remember, when visiting friends and family, it is ok to have an open discussion about safe storage. 

Safe Disposal 

• DEA Drug Take Back Day is on April 25th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Visit a medication drop box at a local pharmacy. For more information on poison prevention, visit www.meddropbox.org.
• The best disposal option is to find a drug take-back location, which may be found in retail, hospital, pharmacies, and/or law enforcement facilities.
• Removing any unused or expired medication in the home can reduce the risk of access. 

 Related Stories:

• Expert Tips for a Safe Spring Break: Poison Prevention
• Know When to Use Telemedicine, Urgent Care, or the ER for Kids
• The Ultimate Holiday Safety Checklist

March marks spring break for families and it is Poison Prevention Month. According to the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment, one in two children live in homes where medications are not always locked up and four in seven children live in homes where cleaning products are not always stored in a locked area. 

“Unintentional poisoning can happen to anyone, at any age,” said Klaressa Broughton, poison prevention program coordinator at the Center for Community Health. 

In 2025, Cook Children’s saw an increase of poisoning encounters, with 1,031 compared to 818 in 2024. Broughton explains that the top poisoning for 2025 involved children of all ages from birth to 18 and were related to medication and unspecified non-drug poisonings.  

“By practicing Safe Dosing, Safe Storage, and Safe Disposal, you can create layers of protection for your household,” said Broughton. 

She adds having conversations with friends, caregivers and family can ensure kids stay safe while they explore someone else’s home. She suggests opening the conversation with: “Since the kids are at the “into everything stage”, do you mind if we double-check that medications and cleaners are out of reach?” 

Tips for Poison Prevention: 

Safe Medication Dosing 

• Follow the dosing directions listed on the medication by using the appropriate measuring items, such as a medicine cup or oral syringe.
• Double dosing is NOT twice as effective, and in many instances can cause internal damage.
• Adult medications may be too strong for children and should not be given in half doses. Only give medicine to your child that is intended for children.
• Print the medication schedule to keep the right dosage for your family. 

Safe Storage 

• Many people leave medications on bathroom and kitchen counters as well as bedroom nightstands as a visual reminder to take them. Avoid unintentional injury and store medication up high, locked, and out of reach.
• Hang purses and personal bags up high so children cannot reach prescriptions, vitamins, or other regularly used medications.
• Remember, when visiting friends and family, it is ok to have an open discussion about safe storage. 

Safe Disposal 

• DEA Drug Take Back Day is on April 25th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Visit a medication drop box at a local pharmacy. For more information on poison prevention, visit www.meddropbox.org.
• The best disposal option is to find a drug take-back location, which may be found in retail, hospital, pharmacies, and/or law enforcement facilities.
• Removing any unused or expired medication in the home can reduce the risk of access. 

 Related Stories:  

• Expert Tips for a Safe Spring Break: Car Safety

• Expert Tips for a Safe Spring Break: Water Safety
• Expert Tips for a Safe Spring Break: Aim for Safety

Holidays often mean more car trips as families drive to visit relatives. Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention manager for Cook Children’s Health Care System, explains that during the holidays, there is an increase in motor vehicle collisions and related injuries.

Texas law requires children under the age of 8 and those under 4 feet 9 inches to be in a child safety seat. Failure to properly restrain a child can result in a ticket of up to $250.  Despite these laws, NHTSA data shows that 46% of car seats are installed incorrectly.

“There are more kids in the car than there are seatbelts and/or car seats, or the car is loaded with gifts and food,” said Evans. “So parents don’t make the child sit in their car seat, booster seat or wear their seat belt.”

Unfortunately, that leaves children unprotected in a crash and often results in severe injuries or death. 

“Don’t skip on safety over this holiday season,” said Evans, “make sure you and your children are buckled up correctly on every ride, no exceptions.”

A Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) can help ensure a child is safely and correctly secured in their car seat. Cook Children’s Health Care System has 66 CPSTs across North Texas.  

The Injury Prevention Collaborative offers free car seat checks with a CPST. Additionally, assistance is available to families who may need a car seat. To schedule an appointment, please call 682-885-2634 or click the link. You must have your child with you, unless you are an expectant parent.

Know the Four Stages of Car Seats

1. Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats are the first stage of restraint for children ranging from newborns to preschoolers. This stage supports their head, neck, and back while riding in a vehicle until they meet the maximum weight OR height of their car seat. Experts highly recommend keeping your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, as it is the safest option available.

2. Forward-facing

Forward-facing is the second stage of car seats for preschoolers through school-age kids. Children should remain in a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness until they meet the maximum weight OR height, then move into a booster seat.

3. Booster

Children must be at least four years old before transitioning into a booster seat. The booster seat stage is crucial for children who have outgrown a harnessed car seat, but do not yet fit safely behind a lap-shoulder belt. Still, booster seats are skipped over all too often. 

4. Seat Belt

A seat belt is the final stage of restraint. The safest time to transition to a seat belt is when your child is at least 4’ 9”, or 57 inches tall. Although the law states that children can transition to seatbelts at eight years old, Evans cautions that many children won’t reach 57 inches in height and should therefore remain in a booster seat until closer to 10 or 12 years old.

Firearm Safety

According to the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment of households with guns in our eight-county service area, approximately 1 in 5 children live in a home with guns that are not always safely locked away.

Between 2022 and 2024, Cook Children's Health Care System in Fort Worth treated 179 individuals for firearm-related injuries. 10 were fatal and 169 were non-fatal. The majority of fatalities were from handguns and 136 were unintentional firearm injuries.  

The Aim For Safety program focuses on educating about firearm safety to decrease the number of youth injured or killed by a firearm.

The program shares these safety tips:

• Safe Storage
  • Store firearms unloaded and in locked locations, out of reach of children.
  • Use cable locks and gun boxes.
  • Secure ammunition separately.
• If You See a Gun
  • Stop.
  • Don't touch.
  • Run away.
  • Tell a grown-up.
• Safe Play
  • Ask the parents of your child's friends if they have guns in their homes and how they are being stored.
  • If you are asked about your guns, don't be offended.
  • Never aim BB guns or pellet guns at another person.

Poison Prevention

More than 800 children are treated at Cook Children's Health Care System every year due to accidental poisoning, and 65% of those poisonings are medication-related. According to the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment, 1 in 2 children live in homes where medications are not always locked up and 4 in 7 children live in homes where cleaning products are not always stored in a locked area.

Tips for Poison Prevention

• Safe Medication Dosing
  • Follow the dosing directions listed on the medication by using the appropriate measuring items, such as a medicine cup or oral syringe.
  • Double dosing is NOT twice as effective, and in many instances can cause internal damage.
  • Adult medications may be too strong for children and should not be given in half doses. Only give medicine to your child that is intended for children.
  • Print the medication schedule to keep the right dosage for your family.
• Safe Storage
  • Many people leave medications on bathroom and kitchen counters as well as bedroom nightstands as a visual reminder to take them. Avoid unintentional injury and store medication up high, locked, and out of reach.
  • Hang purses and personal bags up high so children cannot reach prescriptions, vitamins, or other regularly used medications.
  • Remember, when visiting friends and family, it is ok to have an open discussion about safe storage.
• Safe Disposal
  • Visit a medication drop box at a local pharmacy. For more information on poison prevention, visit www.meddropbox.org.
  • The best disposal option is to find a drug take-back location, which may be found in retail, hospital, pharmacies, and/or law enforcement facilities.
  • Removing any unused or expired medication in the home can reduce the risk of access.

Safe Sleep

Each year in the United States, 3,500 babies die unexpectedly during sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  In Tarrant County, between 2018 and 2022, there were 124 deaths due to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) can happen in any sleep environment, but it is less likely to happen if the baby is in their own crib, bassinet, or portable crib," explained Samantha St. John, safe sleep program coordinator at Cook Children's Center for Community Health.

Caregivers should remember the ABC's of Safe Sleep:

• Alone: The sleep space should be clear of any soft items, such as blankets, stuffed animals, pillows, and bumper pads, leaving only a mattress with a tight-fitted sheet.
• Back: Babies should always be placed flat on their back for every nap and every night.
• Crib: A crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet is the safest sleep surface. 

The Texas Poison Control Network received 192 reports of kratom and other 7-OH products in 2025 alone, compared with 229 exposures combined in 2023 and 2024.

The agency reported 19 cases this year. Eleven of those cases required treatment at a health care facility due to significant health risks.

Written by Samantha Youngblood

The Texas Poison Center has reported 192 exposures involving kratom or 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) this year. 7-OH is a chemical compound found in small traces in kratom, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom is known for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. Both 7-OH and kratom are often marketed as remedies for pain, anxiety or opioid withdrawal.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends “consumers avoid 7-OH products, including conventional foods, dietary supplements, and those claiming to treat an ailment or disorder.” Neither 7-OH nor kratom is FDA-approved for medicinal use, and has not been proven safe or effective.

The Texas Department of State Health Services issued a public health alert on the use of 7-OH, on Sept. 2. DSHS has found 7-OH in low levels of kratom products sold as liquid extracts, powders and gummies across the state.  

Klaressa Broughton, poison prevention program coordinator for Cook Children’s Center for Community Health, explains that the public health alert is intended to raise awareness of the dangers posed by 7-OH products due to the rise in cases and increased access to these products.

Broughton shares what parents should know about this public health alert and offers guidance on how to talk to their children.

How should parents talk to kids about 7-OH?

Create an open, honest and judgment-free environment. Parents should provide accurate information, encourage questions and reassure children that they have a trusted support system.

It is important for children to feel as though they have a support team and/or trusted adults they can go to for questions they may have. If needed, seek professional guidance to assist.

What does exposure look like?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DSHS, Symptoms reported after harmful 7-OH exposure include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Agitation or confusion
• Sweating
• Rapid heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Trouble breathing
• Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
• Seizures

What if a child consumes a 7-OH or kratom product?

Parents should seek medical attention immediately. If the child becomes unresponsive, parents are encouraged to administer naloxone, an over-the-counter medication that can temporarily reverse opioid-like effects. Naloxone is available at many pharmacies, including Cook Children’s Medical Center Pharmacy, and is often covered by insurance. Visit www.meddropbox.org for more poison prevention information.

Naloxone’s effects last 30 to 90 minutes, while 7-OH and kratom effects may last four to eight hours, making medical care essential.

Who can I talk to about 7-OH?

Consult a doctor or pharmacist before using any supplement, especially those marketed for pain, energy or mood.

• Talk to a health care provider about treatment for opioid addiction, anxiety, mood disorders or pain.
• Call the Poison Help Line at 800-222-1222 with concerns about 7-OH.
• Dial 911 immediately if someone is unresponsive or needs urgent medical attention.

How can I dispose of these products?

Visit a medication drop box at a local pharmacy. You can also participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, on Oct. 25. Police departments across Texas will accept unwanted, unused or expired medications that day. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of all unused or expired medications in your home, too.

Texans are encouraged to stay informed, talk with their health care providers, and take advantage of safe disposal options to reduce risks tied to 7-OH products.

That statistic comes from Up and Away and Out of Sight, a platform that raises awareness of the danger of overdoses that happen accidently. Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements can all be harmful if they aren’t used as intended.

March 16-22 is National Poison Prevention Week, a chance to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of keeping children and teens safe from ingesting substances that can be dangerous. Poison prevention at Cook Children’s falls under the scope of injury prevention along with gun safety, drowning prevention, safe baby sleep and vehicle safety through the Center for Community Health.

Schools, clubs, libraries and organizations such as North Texas Poison Center work in partnership with the Center for Community Health. The center’s poison prevention program distributes medication lock boxes, cabinet locks and kits for disposing of unused medications.  

“Education and resources are shared at each level to help influence safer practices while the messaging stays consistent,” said Klaressa Broughton, program coordinator. “We use social media ads, trainings, parent group presentations, local community events and health fairs for the greatest reach and overall impact.”

Three Key Points

You can help prevent accidental overdoses with these layers of protection:

1. Safe dosing – Follow a medication schedule checklist to make sure your child gets the right amount at the right time. Set an alert on your phone to remind you when it’s time for another dose. Measure accurately using an oral syringe, dosing cup or dropper. Follow the instructions on the bottle.

2. Safe storage – Keep medications in a locked cabinet that children can’t access. According to the Cook Children’s 2024 parent/caregiver survey covering an eight-county service area of North Texas, about 570,400 children live in homes where medications aren’t always locked up.

3. Safe disposal – Remove any unused or expired medication from the home by taking it to a designated drop box. Don’t flush them down the toilet or pour them in the sink.

Medication safety can be an extra challenge, Broughton said, when families are traveling or when houseguests bring medications into your home. Good communication is needed if a child stays with multiple caregivers.

“A common mistake is double-dosing,” she said. “Similarly, it’s important to not take a medication that is not prescribed to you or for your age range. It may be very harmful.”

Ask Your Pediatrician

Karen Evans, M.D. points out that medications for children are usually calculated based on weight. When writing a new prescription, she explains the dosing instructions with the parents of her patients at Cook Children's Pediatrics Parkwood in Frisco while in the office.  

“That opens the door for the parent to ask questions,” she said, adding that pediatricians and pharmacists are happy to answer those questions.

From her experience as a mom with three kids, Dr. Evans offered a tip: If your child is sick, have a syringe or dosing spoon washed and handy in case your child wakes up with fever in the middle of the night. Review the dosing instructions ahead of time. Making a plan for dispensing medication can help prevent mistakes when you’re exhausted.

Never try to trick a child by saying medicine is candy, Dr. Evans advised.

She also emphasized the risk of teens sharing medication with other teens. Parents should talk with their teens about taking medications only from trusted adults. Even if a friend at school offers what appears to be a familiar brand of pain reliever, you can’t be sure what the substance is, Dr. Evans said.

Warning signs of potential overdose include change in the child’s behavior or awareness, vomiting, choking, trouble breathing, seizures or not responding. Call 911 and get medical help right away.

Contact the Texas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.  

RELATED STORY

Cook Children's Sees Increase in Emergency Care for Marijuana Ingestion

Cases of accidental marijuana ingestion increased again in 2023, a trend reflected in data from the Cook Children’s Emergency Department (ED).

Statistics from the ED at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth show 50 patients between ages 0-3 whose urine tested positive for the main psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant. Another eight patients in the same age group at the Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper ED also had positive screenings last year.

That’s 58 babies and toddlers whose urine contained a molecule called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a marker of marijuana intoxication. For comparison, here are the yearly totals for THC-positive urine screenings in patients ages 3 and younger at the Fort Worth ED in recent years:

• 2019: 8
• 2020: 13
• 2021: 29
• 2022: 33

In all those years, the vast majority of patients with THC-positive urine screenings were teens. But there’s a special concern for babies and toddlers because of the drug’s stronger impact on their small bodies.

“Cannabis has the potential to cause significant harm to children in this age range over any other age range. These are the kids who are going to have the most serious side effects,” said Anelle Menendez, M.D., CSPI, clinical educator for the North Texas Poison Center. “It has the potential to cause very significant toxicity in children.”

No amount of marijuana is safe for children. A child who swallows a marijuana product – edibles like gummies or baked goods, or oil from a vaping cartridge – can become extremely sleepy or unresponsive. Their heartbeat could soar. They might struggle to breathe or have trouble crawling or walking.

Calls to the North Texas Poison Center regarding children exposed to cannabis rose more than 1,000% from 2019 to 2023, Dr. Menendez said.

That’s why parents, caregivers, siblings and guests are urged to take precautions with any marijuana in the home. Young children are curious; they put everything in their mouths. They could quickly eat a marijuana-infused candy or cookie they find on a nightstand or in a purse, for instance, leading to an accidental cannabis poisoning.

Klaressa Broughton works to raise awareness in her role as coordinator for the Poison Prevention program at the Center for Community Health, led by Cook Children’s. Broughton said the best safeguard is keeping marijuana out of the home altogether. But if it’s present, keep it locked up, out of reach and out of sight.

“I tell parents to be aware of who’s in their household,” she said. “Do you have toddlers? Do you have teenagers? Keep in mind who’s in your home, and then create a plan to have safe storage instead of leaving those gummies out on the counter.”

March 17-23 is National Poison Prevention Week, which promotes safe use of all drugs, chemicals and products that could be harmful in the wrong amounts. To amplify that message, here’s a closer look at what happens to young children’s brains and bodies from the “high” of ingesting THC.

Get Help Right Away

If a parent or caregiver suspects a child has swallowed an item containing THC, they should immediately seek medical help or call the poison control hotline. The experts who take calls at the hotline will ask how the child is acting and how much time has passed.

“We’re going to go through a thorough evaluation over the phone,” Dr. Menendez said. “What exactly did they get into? How much are you missing?”  Depending on the severity of symptoms, such as seizures, the caller might be instructed to call 911.

“It's going to have a very negative effect on your baby, and it will be one of the scariest moments you ever go through in your life,” she said. “There’s no judgement here; we’re here to help you the best we can.”

She advises adults not bringing marijuana into the home -- or if it’s there, to keep products locked up so that they’re not accessible. Don’t vape, smoke or consume edibles in front of children.

Emergency Care

When children come to the ED with suspected marijuana ingestion, the medical team will do a urine screening for the diagnosis. They’ll monitor the child’s vital signs and fluids, protect the airway, and watch for worsening symptoms. Extra oxygen or a breathing tube could be needed if the patient’s breathing rate becomes short and shallow.

The intoxicating effects wear off usually within about 12 hours. Children treated for marijuana ingestion can typically be discharged to go home from the ED after they become alert, act playful, and resume eating and drinking. High concentrations of THC tend to cause more severe cases, which may require being admitted to the hospital for additional monitoring.

Jamye Coffman, M.D, MPH serves as medical director of the Cook Children’s C.A.R.E. Team, which works to prevent child abuse and neglect. One of the team’s roles is providing medical evaluations for children injured by drug exposure. She’s seen a preschooler wind up on ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) from eating just one gummy with a potent THC level.

“A single gummy in the carpet or in the crevice of a couch can be found by a child and be toxic,” Dr. Coffman said.

Even more alarming is the danger of fentanyl ingestion for people of all ages. Dr. Coffman strongly cautioned parents and caregivers to understand that even a small amount of fentanyl can be lethal.

“One pill dropped on the floor or forgotten on a bedside stand could mean the death of your child,” she said. “There are no do-overs. To see a normal healthy child die so needlessly is heartbreaking.  I don’t know how to stress enough the dangerousness of this drug.”

Education and Resources

Poison prevention at Cook Children’s falls under the scope of injury prevention along with gun safety, drowning prevention, safe baby sleep and car seat safety through the Center for Community Health.

“The three things we focus on in my program are Safe Dosing, Safe Storage and Safe Disposal,” Broughton said.

She provides training and teams up with partners such as the North Texas Poison Center and Challenge of Tarrant County. They supply educational materials for events at schools, churches, community centers and other locations. Broughton also distributes resources such as medication lock boxes, cabinet locks and kits for disposing unused medications.  

She said marijuana should always be kept in locked storage because young children are attracted to colorful packaging and the sweet smell of edibles. And if they see a parent consume a marijuana product, they’ll want to try it too. Toddlers can climb onto counters, and it only takes a minute for them to get into something they shouldn’t have, Broughton pointed out. 

What should parents know? “If you choose to use marijuana, keep in mind who's in your home and how to keep your children safe,” Broughton said. “If you do expose them, know what happens and what to look out for.”

If you think your child has ingested marijuana, get medical help or call the Texas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. For more information: Marijuana Edibles - Texas Poison Center Network (poisoncontrol.org)

RELATED STORY:

• Statistics from Cook Children’s Emergency Department Show Increase in Marijuana Ingestion Among Children Ages 0-3 (checkupnewsroom.com)

Fears regarding COVID-19 have increased the amount of hand sanitizer and other disinfectants in homes, giving children more access to ingest these products. While hand sanitizer is beneficial for killing germs on our hands, it can be toxic if swallowed or misused.

“The biggest concern with hand sanitizer ingestion in kids is alcohol intoxication that can lead to low blood sugar, which can cause coma and seizures,” said Justin Smith, M.D., pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Trophy Club. “Less serious symptoms can include nausea and vomiting.” 

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning for a voluntary recall from Ashtel Studios due to hand sanitizer that is packaged “in containers resembling a food and drink pouch.” The appearance of the product is similar to applesauce and fruit packets and marketed with popular children’s characters, like PAW Patrol and Barbie. 

“It’s important that we remember that hand sanitizers should be kept out of the reach of small children, especially those under 5 years old. While keeping our children safe from COVID-19 is very important, we don’t want to let our guard down against other risks,” said Dr. Smith. “And please don’t buy sanitizer in containers that could look like food or could otherwise be more attractive to kids.”

As the coronavirus pandemic continues and flu season arrives, parents need to be more careful than ever to store hand sanitizer out of the reach of children. For more information on poison prevention, visit our website.

Every year Cook Children’s treats more than 600 children due to poisonings. Seventy-five percent are medication related. Children can be accidentally poisoned by finding medication belonging to a friend or family member at their house or in their purse or bag; or by getting into a cabinet that contains household cleansers like bleach or window spray.

Nationally, nearly 60,000 young children end up in the ER every year because they got into medicine.

“Telling your child that medicine is candy or disguising it as candy in anyway is never a good idea,” said Corwin Warmink, M.D., medical director of Emergency Services at Cook Children’s. “Young children who can’t read labels may not know the difference between candy and pills or between juice and a cleaner. If you stack them side-by-side, you would have a hard time distinguishing between Sudafed tablets and candies like Red Hots, Tic Tacs or red M&Ms.”

So what do you do if you suspect your child has been poisoned?

Call the North Texas Poison Center help number at 1-800-222-1222 if someone in your family eats, drinks, breathes, touches poison or gets it in the eyes.

1. Program the Poison Center number into your cell phone today.

2. Don’t be afraid to call. Only the people who help you will know your name.

3. The phone line is available 24/7 and your call is free. More than 150 languages are spoken.

4. The Poison Center is staffed by nurses, pharmacists and doctors.

“Parents should call 9-11 immediately if a child, or anyone else in the family, won’t wake up or is having trouble breathing or is having seizures,” Dr. Warmink said.

Here are 5 other things you should know if you expect your child has been poisoned:

1. If your child has swallowed poison, have him or her spit out as much as possible.

2. Don’t make the child vomit, unless the label on the poison or local poison control center ask you to do so. “Vomiting can often times cause even more problems,” Dr. Warmink said. “First of all, it’s usually not very effective at removing the poison and the vomit can also go down the wrong way and find its way into the lungs. Another concern is that products such as cleaners and dishwasher powders can actually cause more burning.”

3. Don’t be alarmed if the child does vomit on his or own, but call for advice. “Sometimes it’s a natural reaction for a child to throw up,” Dr. Warmink said. “If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to give the child a few sips of water and then call the North Texas Poison Center.

4. Don’t use syrup or ipecac to induce vomiting. “This is not something that we recommend any longer as a routine treatment for poisoning,” Dr. Warmink said.

5. Don’t give your child milk without consulting a medical professional first. “First, consult with the professionals at the North Texas Poison Center,” Dr. Warmink said. “Milk can be helpful at times, but depending on what the child absorbed, the milk can increase the possibility of poisoning.” The same holds true for other fluids, such as juice or soda, consult with the Poison Center first.

Here are 5 other things you should know if you expect your child has been poisoned:

1. If your child has swallowed poison, have him or her spit out as much as possible.

2. Don’t make the child vomit, unless the label on the poison or local poison control center ask you to do so. “Vomiting can often times cause even more problems,” Dr. Warmink said. “First of all, it’s usually not very effective at removing the poison and the vomit can also go down the wrong way and find its way into the lungs. Another concern is that products such as cleaners and dishwasher powders can actually cause more burning.”

3. Don’t be alarmed if the child does vomit on his or own, but call for advice. “Sometimes it’s a natural reaction for a child to throw up,” Dr. Warmink said. “If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to give the child a few sips of water and then call the North Texas Poison Center.

4. Don’t use syrup or ipecac to induce vomiting. “This is not something that we recommend any longer as a routine treatment for poisoning,” Dr. Warmink said.

5. Don’t give your child milk without consulting a medical professional first. “First, consult with the professionals at the North Texas Poison Center,” Dr. Warmink said. “Milk can be helpful at times, but depending on what the child absorbed, the milk can increase the possibility of poisoning.” The same holds true for other fluids, such as juice or soda, consult with the Poison Center first.

About the Source

Corwin Warmink, M.D., is medical director of Cook Children's Emergency Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cook Children's Emergency Department (ED) treats more than 105,000 patients every year. Our ED is the only EMS-designated pediatric trauma center in Tarrant County. Now, thanks to years of dedication and hard work, Cook Children'sMedical Center has reached Level II Trauma Designation from the American College of Surgeons and the Department of State Health Services. Cook Children's Medical Center is one of nine such facilities in the state of Texas. Click to learn more.

Imagine you are 5 years old. It’s a beautiful day and you are stuck in the house with a fever. Your wonderful mother gives you little orange tablets that taste like oranges. You think taking these little tablets that look a lot like M&M’s will make you feel better really soon. What a wonderful Mom! Then she leaves the bottle with the little orange flavored tablets on the table just a few feet away. What would you do?

I was the child that decided if a couple of little orange things would make me feel better than the bottle of little orange things would get me well quicker and I could get back to playing with my friends. What I didn’t know was that there were enough tablets in that bottle to cause a very large overdose. After I took the pills, my mom noticed that I wasn’t responding to my name. I was nearly unconscious. So I was given a trip to the emergency room at our local hospital. I was fortunate that someone noticed and that it wasn’t something worse. 

A recent study in Pediatrics found that 640,000 emergency department visits were made in the U.S. from 2004 to 2013 because children were able to to get medication without adult supervision.

When I became a mother myself, I was very diligent in keeping medications away from little hands by keeping the medications in a high or locked cabinet. We can protect our children from an accidental poisoning at home by looking at things from their eyes. Everything that looks like candy is interesting to them.

Every year Cook Children’s receives more than 600 children due to poisonings. Seventy-five percent are medication related. Children can be accidentally poisoned by finding medication belonging to a friend or family member at their house or in their purse or bag. Or by getting into a cabinet that contains household cleansers like bleach or window spray. Remind your friends or family members to keep medication and household cleaners out of the reach of your children. Often Grandmother’s medication looks like candy, just like my little orange pills, or the cleanser bottle looks like lemon/lime drink.

Sometimes it’s as simple as not measuring a liquid medication correctly. Ask your pharmacist for a medication measuring spoon or oral syringe so you give the correct amount of medicine to your child. The spoons in your kitchen will not always measure the same amount as a medication spoon.

Also, make sure to keep the poison control number (1-800-222-1222) near your phone in case you need it.

Rosanne Thurman is director of Pharmacy at Cook Children's. Cook Children's pediatric pharmacists are available at the medical center to make sure your child's medicines are safe and effective.That includes helping parents understand what their child's medicine is for, the best times to take the medicine, the right dose, side-effects and any possible drug interaction with other medications that their children may be taking, such as other prescriptions, over-the-counter medications like cough syrup or antihistamines and herbals. They can even tell parents what food and drinks might cause an interaction.