How to save children from poisonous plants

Plants make homes look beautiful but to some extent, they are hazardous mainly to children.

Most plants are highly toxic yet they have beautiful blooms which are irresistible to children.

"Parents who love plants should keep a close eye to their children because many a time they (children) end up eating them," explains Frank Lule a gardener.

He says ingestion of a seed, fruit, berry, leaf, stem or bulb of a poisonous plant leads to irregular heart problems, dizziness, liver and skin diseases, blurred vision, stomach upsets, mouth complaints and death is possible.

Dieffenbachia-plant

Justine Nabwami, a land scape designer with Jusmat creations explains that such flowers should not be put in open places, mainly were children hang out like on the porch.

According to Huzaifah Rutonyi, also a gardening expert with grand flora, the only way to make a garden safe for children is by using professionals who can identify these plants and advise on how to handle or avoid them in homes.

Rutonyi says even if you're sure your flowers are not poisonous, you still have to take few precautions like not using any surface or crystallized fertilizer which may be toxic to your child. Make sure there aren't small rocks in the flower pots because they are easily over looked yet harmful.

He adds, if the above fails, temporarily relocate your plants to a room you've made off limits with a door or gate.

What to do when a child eats a poisonous flower

According to Lule, if your child is unconscious, having difficult in swallowing or breathing rush them to the hospital. But if it is not serious, give first aid by first removing any piece of flower in a child's mouth, give them little water.

Purple ivy flower

Do not make them vomit what they have eaten.

Then take them to nearest hospital.

However, Nabwami explains that do not let a child touch sensitive body parts like eyes after playing with a toxic flower.

You can take a sample of a flower (which the child has eaten) with you in the hospital for easier identification process.
And before taking them to the hospital, wash the affected part with Lukewarm water mixed with salt to kill the germs.

Some of the poisonous flowers include: Oleander, flamingo flower, ivy, dieffenbachian plant, peace lily among other.