Dangers in the Home

Favourite fizzy drink... or deadly poison?

Imagine you're seven years old. You've just come in from playing in the garden. It's hot and you're thirsty.

You know mum keeps a nice cold bottle of lemonade in the fridge but it's too high up to reach. On the other hand, you've seen a bottle just like it in the shed...

Every year, thousands of children are rushed to casualty because they've swallowed cleaning fluid, weedkiller or some other poison1.

In a significant number of cases they've been able to do it because the poison has been stored in something other than its original container. Something children find it easy – and appealing – to get into, like a soft drink bottle.

That's why the advice on dangerous chemicals and household products is always the same: “Always store contents in original container. Keep out of reach of children.”

What you can do:

Household chemicals and hazardous products

  • Always store chemicals in their original containers
  • Keep household and garden chemicals in a secure, locked cupboard or outhouse where children can't get to them
  • Move chemicals out of reach if you are called away in the middle of using them
  • Remember that some products, such as alcohol, are OK for adults but can be hazardous to children

Medicines

  • Keep medicines in child-resistant containers and in a lockable medicine cabinet
  • Try to take medicines without your child watching in case they try to copy you
  • Don't leave tablets lying around before you take them
  • Be watchful when visiting friends' houses – they may not be as careful as you

    Source:

  • 1 http://www.rospa.com/homesafety/advice/child/accidents.htm
  • 2 http://www.rospa.com/homesafety/advice/general/facts_figures.htm

Dangers in the home - Section 2 of 5

Savlon's Family First Aid Guides

  • Helpful Hoiday Hints & Tips

    This guide will show you the basics of how to be prepared.

    Find out more

  • Sports first aid

    Read our guide to sporting injuries and how to prevent them.

    Find out more

Did you know?

Younger children have a higher percentage of poisoning and ingestion accidents with around 25,000 under 5s admitted to A&E departments every year1,2.

  • Relevant Savlon injury quick guides:

  • Poisoning

 

PLEASE NOTE:
The information on this website is provided as a reference guide only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice from your pharmacist, doctor or NHS Direct. Always seek medical advice if you are unsure of the treatment required or dial 999 in an emergency.