'Like paint thinner or petrol': Mum finds suspected poisoned kids' drink bottles

"I would let the police know," the Sydney mum was advised in her warning to parents.

A mum has found her child's lost drink bottle in a Sydney park - and suspects it's been contaminated deliberately.

Posting to the Eastern Suburbs Mums Group five days ago, she writes:

"Just wanted to warn local mums about what happened to us today. Last week my child left a couple of drink bottles at Randwick Environmental Park. I did not realise we had lost them until someone texted me today (our number was on the bottle)."

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She continues: "I picked them up and opened to wash them and was hit in the face with a strong chemical smell (like paint thinner or petrol).

"I thought it was odd and then thought maybe mould could have that smell.

"However, I couldn't see any mould spots and as I was washing them the smell seemed to get even stronger, so I gave up. It was that kind of smell that instantly gives you a headache."

The mum came to the conclusion that the bottles had been tampered with after they'd been left behind.

"Unfortunately, I think someone has decided it would be funny to pour out the water and put something else in the bottles!

"They were almost empty when I picked them up, so a tiny amount of liquid was making a huge smell."

The suspected poisoned drink bottles were found in a Sydney park. Image: supplied

RELATED: Mum’s warning after giving son Phenergan

"I would tell the police"

Parents in the comments section said the mum was right to be concerned.

"I would let the police know. This is dangerous," one advised.

Another noted the incident was a good safety reminder: "Always wash the bottles first if lost and got it back, not let the kids drink from it. A reminder lesson from this. Glad your kids didn't drink from it when you got it back."

And other were grateful for the warning, writing, "Thanks for the heads up that’s worrying!"

Kidspot will keep readers updated with any developments.

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Mum warns about effects of Phenergan

Accidental poisoning and overdosing is a serious safety consequence parents need to be aware of.

Mum Melissa recently told Kidspotabout the time she gave her son Phenergan when travelling - with unexpected consequences.

"It was the 1980s and those were different days. I recently wrote a story about how my mum used to give us Coke in bottles when we had upset tummies. It seems as we grew older, the occasional shot of Phenergan was also on the menu.

"So when we booked a long-haul flight from Melbourne to Paris when our son was three, mum gave us advice, saying, 'Darling, if he starts to play up and you need a little shut-eye, just give him some Phenergan I used to give it to you all the time when you were little'. I didn't question her advice.

"Fast forward to when our son literally would not wake up for hours."

Read what happened to this Aussie mum's son, here.

*This story is about Melissa's experiences only. Speak to your own healthcare professional about the suitability of Phenergan for your family. And see information about Phenergan and poisons at the Raising children network.

Originally published as 'Like paint thinner or petrol': Mum finds suspected poisoned kids' drink bottles