Malta National Poisons Centre

08/04/2026

🇲🇹 𝗟-𝗢𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝘂 huwa pjanta ornamentali komuni f'Malta, li spiss tinstab fil-ġonna, fil-ġnub tat-toroq u fi spazji pubbliċi - iżda hija tossika ħafna.

Il-partijiet kollha tal-pjanta (weraq, fjuri, zkuk, u anke l-likwidu li joħroġ meta l-pjanta ssirilha l-ħsara) fihom sustanzi li jistgħu jaffettwaw kemm il-qalb u anki s-sistema diġestiva.

⚠️ Is-sintomi jistgħu jinkludu dardir u rimettar, uġigħ abdominali, sturdament u ritmu irregolari tal-qalb. It-tfal u l-annimali domestiċi huma l-akbar f’riskju, anke f’każijiet ta' espożizzjonijiet żgħar.
👉 Tiekol l-ebda parti tal-pjanta.
👉 Tużahiex fl-ikel, fix-xorb jew f'rimedji tad-dar.
👉 Aħsel idejk jekk tiġi f’kuntatt magħha.

📞 Jekk għandek suspett ta' espożizzjoni, ċempel 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 għal parir.

🇬🇧 𝗢𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 is a common ornamental plant in Malta, often found in gardens, roadsides and public spaces - but it is highly toxic.

All parts of the plant (leaves, flowers, stems and even the sap) contain substances that can affect the heart and digestive system.

⚠️ Symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness and irregular heart rhythm. Children and pets are especially at risk, even in cases of small exposures.
👉 Do not ingest any part of the plant.
👉Do not use it in food, drinks, or home remedies.
👉 Wash your hands after handling it.

📞 If exposure is suspected, call 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 for advice.

Merħba Merħba fis-sit taċ-Ċentru Nazzjonali tat-Tossikoloġija. Il-helpline nazzjonali tat-tossikoloġija 1774 hija miftuħa għall-pubbliku mit-Tnejn sal-Ħadd bejn it-8:00 u t-20:00 Informazzjoni Importanti F’każ ta’ suspett ta’ avvelenament barra l-ħinijiet tal-helpline, il-pubbliku h...

05/04/2026

02/04/2026

🇲🇹 Il-ġbir ta’ pjanti 🌿u faqqiegħ 🍄 selvaġġ jista’ jkun riskjuż jekk m’intix ċert x’qed tiġbor.
• Tikolx pjanti jew faqqiegħ li ma tafx x’inhuma 🚫🍄
• Tiddependix biss fuq apps biex tidentifika pjanti 📱⚠️
• Tħallatx faqqiegħ mhux identifikat flimkien 🧺❌
• Tassumix li dak li hu selvaġġ huwa sigur 🌿⚠️

Xi speċi velenużi jistgħu jixbhu ħafna lil dawk li jittieklu ⚠️
Kont espost aċċidentalment? Ċempel 📞𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰

🇬🇧 Foraging wild plants 🌿 and mushrooms 🍄can be risky if you are unsure what you are collecting.
• Do not eat plants or mushrooms you cannot identify 🚫🍄
• Do not rely on apps alone for identification 📱⚠️
• Do not mix unknown mushrooms together 🧺❌
• Do not assume wild means safe 🌿⚠️

Some toxic species can look very similar to edible ones ⚠️
Accidentally exposed? Call 📞𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰

25/03/2026

🇲🇹 L-avvelenament jista’ jseħħ ukoll permezz tal-ġilda meta sustanzi li jikkawżaw ħsara jiġu f’kuntatt magħha. Jekk kimika tiġi f’kuntatt mal-ġilda:

✅Neħħi l-ħwejjeġ u l-ġojjelli kkontaminati
✅Laħlaħ iż-żona affetwata b’ilma ġieri għal mill-inqas 15-il minuta.
❌Togħrokx il-ġilda… dan jista’ jwassal biex il-kimika tippenetra aktar fil-fond!
❌Tużax kremi jew kimiċi oħra biex tipprova tinnewtralizza l-ħruq, sakemm ma tingħatax parir mediku.

Jekk għandek dubju jew xi sintomi persistenti, ċemplilna fuq 1774 ☎️.

🇬🇧 Poisoning can also occur through the skin when harmful substances come into contact with it. If a chemical comes into contact with the skin:

✅Remove contaminated clothing and jewellery
✅Rinse the affected area with running water for at least 15 minutes.
❌Do not rub the skin… this can cause the chemical to pe*****te deeper!
❌Do not use creams or other chemicals to try to neutralise the burn unless advised by a medical professional.

If in doubt or if any symptoms persist, call us on 1774 ☎️.

21/03/2026

🇲🇹 Prodotti tat-tindif🧴 huma utli u jinstabu mxerdin fid-djar kollha, iżda l-użu ħażin jista’ malajr isir perikoluż ⚠️. It-taħlit ta’ kimiċi, bħal bliċ mal-aċtu, jirrilaxxa dħaħen tossiċi 💨.

💡Uża l-prodotti biss kif indikat, żommhom fil-kontenituri oriġinali tagħom, erfagħħhom fejn ma jintlaħqux mit-tfal, u tħallatx prodotti tat-tindif flimkien.

Għal kwalunkwe espożizzjoni, kellem direttament lill-Poisons Centre fuq 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰📞.

🇬🇧 Everyday cleaning products 🧴 are useful and commonly found within all households, but misuse can quickly become dangerous ⚠️. Mixing chemicals, such as bleach with acid, releases toxic fumes 💨.

💡Use products only as directed, keep them in their original containers, store them out of reach of children, and do not mix cleaning products together.

For any exposure, contact the Poisons Centre directly on 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰📞.

20/03/2026

🇲🇹 Naturali 🌿 ma jfissirx li ma jistgħux jagħmlu ħsara. Iż-żjut essenzjali u l-likwidi tar-reed diffusers💧 magħmulin minn kimiċi kkonċnetrati ħafna u jistgħu jikkawżaw ħsara serja jekk jinbelgħu ⚠️.

💡Żomm il-fliexken taż-żjut essenzjali u likwidi tar-reed diffusers issiġillati, fejn ma jintlaħqux 🏠, u żomm għajnejk fuq it-tfal iż-żgħar jekk ser tużahom fil-preżenza tagħhom.

Jekk ikun hemm inġestjoni aċċidentali, ikkuntattja lill-Poisons Centre fuq 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 għal parir immedjat 📞.

🇬🇧 Natural 🌿 does not mean harmless. Essential oils and reed diffuser liquids💧 are composed of highly concentrated chemicals, and can cause serious harm if swallowed ⚠️.

💡Ensure that essential oil bottles and reed diffuser liquids are sealed and out of reach 🏠, and keep an eye on young children if you are going to use them in their presence.

In case of accidental ingestion, contact the Poisons Centre on 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 for immediate advice 📞.

19/03/2026

🇲🇹 Button batteries 🔋żgħar fid-daqs u faċli jintilfu, iżda jaf ikunu ta’ periklu estrem. Jekk jinbelgħu, jistgħu jikkawżaw ħruq intern sever 🔥 f’ ħin qasir, fl-assenza ta’ sintomi ovvji.

💡Kun żgur li l-kexxun jew kompartiment fejn iżżomm il-batteriji, kemm jekk ġodda u anka jekk użati jew zejda, jissakkar sew u ma jintlaħaqx mit-tfal. Jekk għandek xi batteriji għar-rimi, important jintremew minnufih ♻️ (anke dawn jistgħu jkunu perikolużi).

Qed tissuspetta inġestjoni? Ċempel lill-Poisons Centre b’urġenza fuq 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰📞.

🇬🇧 Button batteries 🔋 are very small and easy to lose but extremely dangerous. If swallowed, they can cause severe internal burns 🔥 within a short time frame, without obvious symptoms.

💡Make sure that all batteries (new, used and extra) are stored in secure compartments, and out of reach of children. Any used and unwanted batteries should be disposed of immediately ♻️ (they can also be dangerous).

Do you suspect ingestion? Call the Poisons Centre urgently on 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰📞.

18/03/2026

🇲🇹 Il-gummies tal-multivitamini jagħtu lemħa ‘l-ħelu jew ġuġu 🍬. Dan jista’ jwassal biex it-tfal 👶 jieħdu aktar milli suppost. Għalkemm komuni fil-frott u l-ħaxix u kapaċi jkunu ta’benefiċċju għas-saħħa, vitamini u minerali żejda, bħal Vitamina A u l-ħadid, jistgħu jkunu tossiċi ⚠️meta jittieħdu f’dożi eċċessivi.

💡Ittratta s-supplimenti daqs li kieku kienu mediċini 💊. Żomm għajnejk fuq it-tfal meta jkunu ser joħduhom u għallimhom li dawn mhumiex ħelu!

Jekk jiġi kkunsmat aktar mill-ammont rakkomandat, fittex gwida mill-Poisons Centre fuq 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰📞.

🇬🇧 Multivitamin gummies look very similar to candy 🍬. This can lead to children 👶 taking more than they should. Despite being commonly found in fruit and vegetables with known health benefits, high excessive doses of vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin A and iron, can still be toxic ⚠️.

💡Treat supplements as if they were medicine 💊. Supervise children when taking them and teach them that they are not, in fact, candy!

If more than the recommended amount is consumed, seek guidance from the Poisons Centre on 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 📞.

17/03/2026

🇲🇹 Il-Liquid Detergent Capsules jidhru sbieħ u kkuluriti 🌈, b’hekk kapaċi jidhru attraenti għat-tfal, iżda fihom kimiċi kkonċentrati ħafna li jistgħu jikkawżaw ħsara jekk jingidmu jew jinbelgħu.

💡Żomm dawn il-kapsoli fil-pakkett oriġinali tagħhom, merfugħa f'post għoli jew sikur, fejn ma jintlaħqux mit-tfal 👶.

Jekk tissusspetta xi espożizzjoni, ikkuntattja lill-Poisons Centre fuq 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 mingħajr dewmien 📞.

🇬🇧 Liquid Detergent Capsules are colourful and visually attractive, 🌈 and thus may look tempting for children, however, they contain highly concentrated chemicals that can cause harm if swallowed or bitten.

💡Keep these capsules in their original packaging, stored in high or locked places, and out of reach of children 👶.

If you suspect exposure, contact the Poisons Centre on 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 without delay 📞.

16/03/2026

🇲🇹 Il-paracetamol hija mediċina komuni 💊 fid-djar tagħna, iżda tista' tkun perikoluża f'dożi eċċessivi ⚠️. Huwa faċli li tieħu doża doppja bi żball, speċjalment peress li hija inkluża f'ħafna mediċini għall-uġigħ, irjiħat u influwenza.

💡Dejjem iċċekkja t-tikketti, ħu d-doża korretta skont l-età u l-piż tiegħek, u ara li ma tiħux iktar minn prodott wieħed li fih il-Paracetamol.

Jekk tieħu doża żejda, ċempel lill-Poisons Centre fuq 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 immedjatament 📞.

🇬🇧 Paracetamol is a common medicine 💊 in our homes, but it can be dangerous in excessive doses ⚠️. It's easy to accidentally take a double dose, especially since it's included in many pain, cold and flu medicines.

💡Always check labels, take the correct dose for age and weight, and make sure you don't take more than one product containing Paracetamol.

If you take too much, call the Poisons Centre on 𝟭𝟳𝟳𝟰 immediately 📞.

15/03/2026

Din il-ġimgħa hija 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, li ġeneralment tiġi osservata fl-Istati Uniti. Din is-sena, il-Malta National Poisons Centre 🇲🇹 ingħaqad man-National Poisons Information Centre, Ireland 🇮🇪 biex flimkien naqsmu pariri dwar il-prevenzjoni mill-ivvelenar, anke fl-Ewropa.

Avvelenamenti jistgħu jiġru fid-djar tagħna🏠 meta l-anqas nistennewhom. Matul il-jiem li ġejjin, ser naqsmu pariri sempliċi u prattiċi biex iżżomm lilek innifsek u lil dawk qrib tiegħek aktar siguri.

Kompli segwina!

This week is 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, usually observed in the United States. This year, the Malta National Poisons Centre 🇲🇹 has joined forces with the Information Centre of Ireland 🇮🇪 to share tips on poisoning prevention across Europe.

Poisonings can happen at home 🏠 when we least expect them. Over the next few days, we’ll share simple, practical tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Keep following us!

11/03/2026

🇲🇹 Il-Hydrogen Peroxide (perossidu tal-idroġenu) huwa kimika li tinstab f'ħafna djar. Huwa spiss użat bħala diżinfettant, fid-developers taż-żebgħa tax-xagħar, u xi kultant għat-tindif tal-feriti. Il-Hydrogen Peroxide tad-dar ġeneralment ikollu konċentrazzjoni ta' madwar 3%. Madankollu, jista' jkun ta' ħsara jekk jintuża ħażin ⚠️

🟠 Jekk jiġi kkunsmat, jista' jikkawża irritazzjoni tal-ħalq, tal-gerżuma u tal-istonku, rimettar u uġigħ ta’ żaqq.
🖐️ Prodotti b'konċentrazzjoni ogħla (10–35%) jistgħu jikkawżaw ħruq serju fil-ġilda 🔥 jew korriment intern jekk jinbela'.
🔒 Parir ta' prevenzjoni: Żomm il-Hydrogen Peroxide fejn ma jintlaħaqx mit-tfal. Jista' jidher qisu ilma 💧 u jista' faċilment jiġi kkunsmat aċċidentalment!

🆘 Jekk tiġi espost aċċidentalment: ċempel 1774 📞 għal parir.

🇬🇧 Hydrogen Peroxide is a chemical found in many homes. It is commonly used as a disinfectant, in hair dye developers, and sometimes for cleaning wounds. Household Hydrogen Peroxide usually has a concentration of about 3%. However, it can be harmful if used incorrectly ⚠️

🟠 If consumed, it can cause irritation of the mouth, throat, and stomach, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
🖐️ Higher strength products (10–35%) can cause serious skin burns 🔥 or internal injury if swallowed.
🔒 Prevention tip: Keep Hydrogen Peroxide out of the reach of children. It may look like water 💧 and can easily be accidentally consumed!

🆘 If you are accidentally exposed: call 1774 📞 for advice.