SUNDAY, March 5, 2023 (HealthDay Information) — With hashish poisoning hovering amongst U.S. kids, an professional from Kids’s Hospital Los Angeles presents ideas for retaining children protected from so-called “edibles.”

“One of the best ways to maintain your children protected from marijuana edibles is to not have them in your house,” Dr. Colleen Kraft, an attending doctor within the Division of Pediatrics, stated in a hospital information launch.

Nonetheless, when you do have them at dwelling, retailer them the place your kids cannot get them.

Between 2017 and 2021, greater than 7,000 kids youthful than 6 have been uncovered to edible hashish, in keeping with the Nationwide Poison Knowledge System.

The variety of incidents rose throughout that span by 1,375% — from 207 incidents a yr to three,054. About 1 in 4 of these children was hospitalized, many with extreme problems corresponding to respiratory difficulties and significant care stays.

In additional than 90% of instances, kids discovered the poisonous edibles at dwelling.

Deal with edible marijuana such as you would any treatment, Kraft stated. Take away the edibles from their packaging and put them in child-resistant containers.

Put a “marijuana edibles” label on the containers and place them in a locked cupboard, Kraft added.

It might additionally assist to purchase edibles in packaging that’s much less engaging to kids and doesn’t appear like a deal with.

“These merchandise typically are available in ‘copycat’ packaging that appears like actual sweet,” Kraft stated. “That is notably harmful for teenagers who’re too younger to learn.”

Additionally, don’t eat these merchandise in entrance of your children. Since edibles can set off kids’s curiosity, it’s higher to eat them the place your children can’t see you.

Ask different adults in households the place your baby visits to do the identical. Discuss with them about storing edibles safely. It is vital that they hear.

“If household and mates use these merchandise, they should take the identical precautions you’d take,” Kraft stated.

In case your baby consumes a marijuana edible, have a look at its wrapper to see how a lot tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it comprises.

“Only one cookie or sweet bar can result in an overdose,” Kraft stated, noting the small dimension and weight of kids.

The physique takes longer to course of ingested THC than inhaled THC, Kraft stated. Signs of marijuana poisoning, corresponding to vomiting, slurred speech and respiratory difficulties, might not seem till hours after the edible is consumed, Kraft stated.

Name the poison management hotline when you assume your baby has ingested edible marijuana. It may be reached at 1-800-222-1222. In case your baby’s signs are extreme, name 911 or go to the closest emergency room instantly.

Extra info

The American Academy of Pediatrics has extra on the hazards of edible marijuana for kids.

SOURCE: Kids’s Hospital Los Angeles, information launch, Jan. 31, 2023