'Watch out for your children'

POISON: IT'S UP TO PARENTS TO CONTROL WHAT THEY EAT, NOT THE SCHOOL, SAYS EXPERT

- Masoka Dube

Parents should take responsibility for what their children consume and encourage them not to buy food or snacks from informal traders, as the total of kids being poisoned climbs to over 300.

"Parents, guardians and caregivers are urged to be on high alert and to monitor the food items children consume and, most importantly, to verify the source of such items," basic education department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said.

This call was echoed by an expert and the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) yesterday.

There has been a hike in children's deaths because of poison, with eight dying last month alone.

A two-year-old baby boy from Violetbank in Bushbuckridge was the latest victim after he on Tuesday reportedly ate snacks bought from a local tuck shop.

His four siblings, aged between two and five, were hospitalized after they presented poisoning symptoms.

Mhlanga urged parents and communities to look after their children.

"Parents, guardians and caregivers are urged to be on high alert and to monitor the food items children consume.