If you have old fruit trees and berry bushes, you ought to avoid that children eat these fruits and berries. Nothing, except wash the child s mouth thoroughly. There is unlikely to be any acute adverse health effect. How to take special precautions with children Children are especially vulnerable to contaminants. In part, because their bodies cannot tolerate as much, and partially because of increased exposure when playing in the garden.
Most small children get soil in their mouths.
Some children also like to eat soil. Instead of letting children play in parts of the garden where they may be at increased risk, make a sand box for them with a solid bottom and change the sand regularly, around once a year. Teach the older children that they should not play with soil for example, it is not a very good idea to make mud cakes, even though it is fun. Children should get into the habit of washing their hands often especially before eating and when they come in from the garden. Children should be supervised when playing in gardens where there is contaminated soil.