MONDAY, Sept. 4, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Drugs and children don’t mix, so it’s important to keep little ones safe by storing any marijuana edibles out of reach from small hands.

The New Jersey Poison Control Center is offering warnings that can apply anywhere, after aiding in the medical treatment of 30 children ranging from the ages of 1 to 12 who accidentally ate marijuana edibles in July.

“It is difficult for anyone, especially children, to tell an edible marijuana product from food when the product is almost identical to common everyday foods and drinks,” said Dr. Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

“For this reason, it’s important to store marijuana products, especially edibles, the same way you would store medicines in your home,” she said in a Rutgers news release. “Don’t take the risk. Lock up your edibles.”

Children who ingest edibles are at a much higher risk for severe health effects and even death from consuming marijuana.

Symptoms can include trouble breathing, loss of coordination, drowsiness and seizures. In some cases, children may need to be admitted to an intensive care unit. Almost all young children need to be evaluated in an emergency room.

Caregivers may not realize a child has accidentally eaten edibles because the reaction can be delayed.

“Since some edibles may be highly concentrated, beware of what you buy if you live with young and school-aged…