Tips to Prevent Plant Poisoning

Know the names of plants and flowers you have in and around your home. Plants can be identified at your local nursery or florist and should be labeled with both the common and botanical names.

Teach children to never put any part of a plant, flower or mushroom in their mouth. This includes leaves, stems, bark, seeds, berries and bulbs. They can be poisoned by sucking nectar, touching or tasting plants.

Avoid smoke from burning plants. The smoke can irritate or harm the eyes, throat and other parts of the body.

When handling plants that may be irritating to the skin, wear protective gloves, long pants and long sleeves. These clothes should be washed afterwards. Avoid rubbing eyes after contact with plants.

Be wary of "folk remedies" and homemade medicines from plants. Just because a potion is "herbal and natural" does not make it safe. Do NOT make "tea" from plant leaves.

Dispose of plant leaves and flowers in a safe way, so that children and pets cannot gain access to them.

Generally, plants toxic to humans are also toxic to pets.

MUSHROOMS: Pick and dispose of all mushrooms and toadstools that grow in your yard. Only a trained mycologist can correctly identify a poisonous from a non-poisonous mushroom.

Treatment of Exposure:

Eating ANY plant or mushroom collected outdoors should be considered dangerous. Call the NJ Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect someone has eaten one. Even after a serious poisoning, symptoms may not appear until many hours later. DO NOT wait until symptoms appear.

Eyes: Flush eyes with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Be very gentle, as vigorous or prolonged rinsing can hurt the eyes. Call the poison control center immediately.

Skin: Wash any skin exposed to the plant with soap and water as soon as possible. Call the poison control center immediately.

Mouth: Immediately remove any remaining parts from mouth. Save the other parts of the plant or mushroom for identification. Call the poison control center immediately.

Help is just a phone call away! For more information on poisoning risk and treatment, or for a non-poisonous plant list, call 1-800-222-1222.

The NJ Poison Control Center Hotline is accessible 24 hours per day, everyday!!