While plants can be fragrant and visually appealing, interacting with certain plants or their parts can pose significant risks, sometimes even resulting in death. To safeguard yourself and your loved ones, it is crucial to avoid unfamiliar plants. In the event of accidental contact, there are immediate steps you can take, along with hotline numbers to call for assistance. Here is a list of some poisonous plants found in the UAE; however, this list is not comprehensive, and there may be other toxic plants not included.
According to the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, there are several preventive measures the public can adopt to avoid accidental exposure to toxic plants:
- Identify dangerous plants in your home, garden, and immediate surroundings by sight.
- Do not consume wild plants unless you are certain of their safety.
- Educate children not to put plants, their parts, strange berries, or mushrooms in their mouths. Make them aware of the potential dangers of poisonous plants; keep seeds and fruits out of their reach.
- When decorating your home, ensure the plants you choose are safe.
- Avoid inhaling smoke from burning plants.
- Do not use collected wild or cultivated plants for homemade medicines.
- Properly dispose of dead leaves from houseplants.
- If you find toxic plants in your vicinity and are unsure how to safely dispose of them, contact the municipality of the emirate or your residence management.
Steps to take in case of exposure:
- If exposure occurs in the mouth, remove any plant parts and give a small amount of water.
- If exposure is on the skin, wash the affected area with cold water immediately and remove any clothing that had contact with the plant.
- If exposure is to the eyes, rinse with warm water for 15 minutes.
- Even if no symptoms are apparent, seek medical attention immediately. Upon realizing exposure to a poisonous plant, contact the Abu Dhabi Poison and Drug Information Service at toll-free number 800424.
- In case of emergency in any emirate, call 999 for police assistance or 998 for an ambulance.