BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Young children are naturally curious and explore their surroundings by touching, tasting, and mimicking adults. When medications, vitamins, or marijuana products are left unsecured, children can easily mistake them for candy or food. National and Ohio data show that these accidental ingestions frequently result in emergency department visits and, in some cases, hospitalization.
The National Picture: Accidental Ingestion in Children
Across the United States, medications are the leading cause of poisoning exposures in children. Each year, poison control centers receive more than one million calls involving children under age five, most often related to medications found in the home (Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 2023).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that approximately 35,000 emergency department visits occur annually due to unintentional medication overdoses among young children (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [ODPHP], 2023). These incidents commonly involve prescription medications, over-the-counter pain relievers, vitamins, and supplements that were not stored securely.
Marijuana Products: An Increasing Concern
As marijuana products have become more widely available, accidental ingestion by children—especially edible products—has increased significantly nationwide. According to the CDC, poison control calls related to cannabis exposure among children under age six have risen sharply, particularly in states where marijuana is legal (CDC, 2024).
Edible marijuana products are especially dangerous because they often resemble candy, cookies, brownies, or gummies. These products can contain high levels of THC, and even a small amount can cause serious symptoms in a child.
Ohio Data Highlights the Risk
Ohio data mirror national trends and underscore why this issue matters locally:
· The Central Ohio Poison Center reported 582 marijuana exposures among children under age six in 2024, compared to fewer than 100 cases in 2019 (Ohio Capital Journal, 2025).
· Statewide poison control centers reported more than 800 cannabis exposures among children ages 12 and under in 2024, representing a significant year-over-year increase (Health Policy Ohio, 2025).
· Ohio children’s hospitals have reported substantial increases in emergency department visits related to unintentional marijuana ingestion, with many children
requiring hospital admission for monitoring (Dayton Daily News, 2024).
Medical professionals report that nearly 85% of pediatric marijuana ingestion cases result in emergency department care, highlighting how serious these exposures can be (WFMJ, 2024).
Health Effects in Children
Children who accidentally ingest medications or marijuana products may experience:
· Extreme drowsiness or confusion
· Vomiting
· Trouble breathing
· Seizures
· Loss of consciousness
Because children’s bodies process substances differently than adults, even small amounts can lead to severe reactions and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications (FDA, 2023).
A Message from Crawford County Public Health
“In 2025, we received notifications of ten (10) Crawford County children under the age of 10 were treated at a local ER due to accidental ingestion of a medication or marijuana product. Most of these incidents are entirely preventable,” said Kate Siefert, Health Commissioner of Crawford County Public Health. “Locking up medications and marijuana products—just like we do with firearms or cleaning supplies—is a simple step that can save a child’s life. We urge all parents, caregivers, and visitors to treat these products with the same level of caution and responsibility.”
What Crawford County Residents Can Do
Crawford County Public Health recommends the following steps to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion:
· Store all medications and marijuana products in a locked cabinet or container, out of sight and out of reach of children.
· Never store marijuana edibles with regular food or candy.
· Avoid referring to medicine as “candy,” even jokingly.
· Use child-resistant packaging correctly and relock storage areas after every use.
· Educate grandparents, babysitters, and other caregivers about safe storage practices.
What to Do in an Emergency
If a child may have ingested a medication or marijuana product:
· Call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 (available 24 hours a day).
· If the child has trouble breathing, seizures, becomes unresponsive, or collapses, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Protecting Children Starts at Home
Accidental ingestion of medications and marijuana products remains a serious and growing public health concern in Ohio. The data are clear—but so is the solution. Proper storage, education, and quick action in emergencies can prevent injuries and save lives.
Crawford County Public Health encourages all residents to take a moment today to check their homes and make sure medications and marijuana products are safely locked up and out of reach of children.
References
ASTHO. (2022). Medications leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in children. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Cannabis poisoning and children. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Dayton Daily News. (2024). Ohio children’s hospitals report increases in pediatric marijuana ingestion cases.
Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA warns about accidental ingestion of THC-containing food products by children.
Health Policy Ohio. (2025). Cannabis poisoning among Ohio children increased in 2024.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital. (2023). Facts about poisons and children.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2023). Protect initiative: Children’s medication safety.
Ohio Capital Journal. (2025). Ohio poison centers report increase in marijuana exposures among young children.
WFMJ. (2024). Ohio poison centers warn of increased accidental marijuana ingestion in children.