City of Ekurhuleni warns of increased cases of poisoning
Several poisoning cases involving children can be traced back to exposure or contact with chemicals commonly found in households.
The City of Ekurhuleni issued a warning to parents and guardians following a concerning rise in incidents of food poisoning.
The incidents, reported by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), have been linked to the mishandling of hazardous household chemicals, particularly pesticides and herbicides.
CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said safe handling and storage practices must be implemented to mitigate the risk of poisoning.
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According to health authorities, a significant number of food poisoning cases involving children can be traced back to exposure or contact with chemicals commonly found in households.
“Pesticides and herbicides are among the hazardous substances commonly found in households, and unfortunately, improper storage can lead to poisoning in children,” said Dlamini.
CoE urged residents to take measures to safeguard against accidental poisoning, including storing chemicals out of reach of minors and maintaining them in their original packaging.
Residents are advised to adhere to the following guidelines:
• Store pesticides in their original containers, which contain essential information such as directions for use, ingredients, and first aid instructions.
• Ensure proper closure of containers with child-resistant packaging and store them securely out of children’s reach.
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• Refrain from reusing empty pesticide containers and avoid pouring chemicals down sinks, toilets, or sewer lines.
In the event of suspected poisoning, residents are urged to contact the 24-hour Poison Help line at 0861 555 777.
Trained poison experts are available to provide immediate assistance and guidance in case of emergencies.
