Paramedic and two-time mother The owner of Tiny Hearts Education, Nikki, describes the risks associated with leaving e-cigarettes and vapes within reach of young children.
When you become a parent, protecting your kids becomes your life’s work. In an ironic turn of events, it is only when we become parents that we realise the true risks that lurk in the average family home.
Some of the most unobtrusive objects can present the greatest risk to young children, including button batteries and bath plugs left within reach.
“I just heard a story that greatly scared me.”
Paramedic and two-time mother The owner of Tiny Hearts Education, Nikki, posted a tale to Instagram about a young child who accidentally ingested potentially lethal vape liquid.
Nikki captioned her photo, “I heard a tale lately that truly concerned me: a young baby finding colourful e-liquid for a guest’s vape lying about at a family barbeque.”
“Much to his parents’ horror, the liquid was quickly and easily consumed. Its nicotine content might have been fatal.
Fortunately, the young kid was unharmed after receiving immediate medical care, but Nikki said she still wanted to share the incident to warn others about the risks.
When it comes to using these goods around kids, Nikki offered six advice to parents:
Kids may mistake vape items and e-liquids for candies or fun drinks since they frequently have fun, colourful labels and vivid graphics. Since child-resistant containers are uncommon for vape liquids, the risk is doubled.
Numerous vape goods contain extremely toxic nicotine that, in some cases, can be fatal. Those candy-colored, innocent-looking bottles pose a serious risk to children.
If you or someone you know enjoys vaping, I strongly advise treating the equipment as if it were any other poison, even if the labelling claim that it is nicotine-free. Keep out of children’s reach!
When minors are around, avoid using vaping devices or e-cigarettes. In addition to the potential toxic risk, it’s not a good habit they should observe. Recall that our children will attempt to mimic everything we do!
You should dial the Poisons hotline at (13 11 26) if you believe your child has ingested vape fluid or has been messing with an e-cigarette. A nicotine overdose may result in anaphylactic shock, convulsions, or collapse. If you notice this, dial 999 immediately.
How frightening for our kids
Nikki tagged other mothers who might not have known to ask them whether they were aware of the risks associated with e-liquids and colourful vape items.
One commenter said, “I genuinely assumed this photo was of some form of lollipop, very scary for our kids.”
Another said, “I almost thought it was a drink! It’s crazy that they’re allowed to have such kid-friendly packaging!”
One health inspector remarked that he visits tobacco dealers to make sure they are following the tobacco act and that he has noticed an increase in the sale of these kinds of things.
He stated, “We have noticed a significant increase in the number of stores selling nicotine-containing e-liquid. Despite being illegal to sell in Australia, people continue to do so. That authority is not ours to take. Police should be involved. It is quite risky.
pertaining to vapes and e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes are not sufficiently supported as a product to help smokers stop, claims NSW Health. Call the Quitline or visit your doctor if you want to stop smoking.
“Users of e-cigarettes may be exposed to poisons and substances that are hazardous to their health.
Until there is proof of safety, quality, and efficacy, health authorities should take steps to minimise harm to users and bystanders.
Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are prohibited in NSW. Adults may buy nicotine-free e-cigarettes, but the selling of liquid nicotine in NSW is prohibited by the state’s poisons laws.
“From 1 October 2021, Australians will need a prescription to legally obtain nicotine-containing e-cigarette products for any purpose,” the Australian government stated. This also applies to importing these goods from abroad.
So maybe it’s time to give up now.
Ref: https://www.kidspot.com.au/parenting/toddler/paramedic-mums-warning-about-ecigarettes-and-vapes-around-kids/news-story/b72c7a11d20e496da53c6a115de73082
In case any of the issues described in this article are affecting you, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will see what we can do to assist you.