Poisonings

Poisonings among adults and children are different

Overdoses and intoxicants cause the most poisonings in Finland, and poisoning is typically the result of mixed use of many substances, such as medication and alcohol or drugs. In Finland, poisonings related to the use of drugs and medication for intoxication is the second most common cause of death among men under the age of 40. The trend of drug-related deaths has been increasing in recent years.

Alcohol poisonings are the cause for the majority of all poisoning-related deaths, and the deceased is most often a middle-aged man. In mild poisoning cases, the symptoms often include nausea, skin symptoms, headache and dizziness. Sometimes a poisoning can lead to convulsions, disturbances of consciousness and circulation, breathing difficulties, and blueness or redness of skin. The severity of poisoning symptoms and the rate at which they occur depend on the amount of the substance and how it has entered the body. Injected or inhaled poisons affect you the fastest. 

Children under the age of 3 are more susceptible to accidental poisonings. Young children get acquainted with their surroundings by tasting everything they get in their hands. Beautiful packaging and good smells are interesting to little children. The most dangerous chemicals at home are dishwasher detergents, pipe dredging agents, solvents, paint products and coolants. Other substances harmful to children may also be found at home, such as essential fragrance and sauna oils and table salt.

Identify risks of poisoning

An adder bite, a poisonous mushroom or a poisonous plant in the mouth of a small child can all lead to a serious poisoning. It is a good idea to go through all dangerous areas with your children at familiar cottages and new environments alike, including plants they should not touch and berries they should never eat. Paints and solvents should be put away immediately after use. Also put away empty bottles and glasses with alcohol. 

When picking mushrooms, the safest option is to select only mushrooms that you can confidently identify. If you are not yet familiar with mushroom delicacies, you should start with a few mushrooms that you can recognise for certain using a mushroom guidebook. If you are even a little uncertain, you should always ask someone who knows mushrooms. 

You should also keep the risk of carbon monoxide in mind. Only close the open flues of fireplaces after the coals are dark. Odourless and colourless carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion. It affects you quickly and undetected and causes unconsciousness even in small doses. A carbon monoxide detector improves safety both at home and at the cottage.

Further information on poisonous substances is available around the clock from the Poison Information Centre, tel. 0800 147 111 (free of charge).

Preventing poisonings

• Save the Poison Information Centre’s number +358 (0)800 147 111 (free of charge and open around the clock) on your mobile phone or download the 112 Suomi mobile application, which also contains the Poison Information Centre’s number. 
• Identify the risks of poisoning and store toxic substances, chemicals and medication in their original packaging locked away from the reach of children. 
• Teach your child to identify poisonous garden plants and mushrooms. 
• Only pick and eat plants and mushrooms that you can confidently identify. 
• In the event of poisoning, find out what substance has caused the symptoms, how much has entered the body and how. 
• Install a carbon monoxide detector at home. 
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. 
• Take care of your intoxicated friends, do not leave them alone. 
• Bring up substance abuse and identify risky use. 
• To preventing poisonings among young people, it is essential to find the underlying causes for using intoxicants, identify potential problems early, and provide advice and support.