Each year, over 1 million children
are accidentally poisoned in their homes. 250,000 of these victims are hospitalized. 3,000 children
will end up in intensive care. Dozens more will die. Thousands of children and adults are permanently disfigured or injured
through contact with chemicals in the home, each year.
Incredibly, the most common substance to poison
children are a household cleaner. Many of these products are considered safe!
Think of your own home- you probably have dozens
of bottles of cleaners, containing hundreds of chemicals. Could an accident happen in your home?
Print this page and check off the products you
use in your home and evaluate your risks. All information comes from actual manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheets and
National Poison Control Centers.
___Liquid Bleach -
DANGER! Causes severe eye injuries. Can damage mouth, throat, and stomach. Vapors irritate the nose, throat and lungs.
___Toilet Bowl Cleaner -
DANGER! contains hydrochloric acid
which is highly corrosive. Burns the skin, mouth and throat. Causes blindness.
___Furniture Polish - DANGER! Contact with the skin can dissolve vital skin oils and cause severe dermatitis (skin burns). Can permanently injure
eyes.
___Stainless Steel Cleaner
-
DANGER! Can burn the eyes and skin. Vapors can cause headaches, dizziness and stupor.
___Aerosol Dusting Spray -
DANGER! Flammable. Irritates the eyes, lungs. 5,000 people visit emergency rooms each year with
an aerosol can-related injury.
___Oven Cleaner -
DANGER! Contains lye which is highly corrosive. Burns the skin, mouth, throat and stomach.
Causes permanent blindness.
___Brass, Copper, Silver Polish -
WARNING! Can cause moderate eye
and skin damage and burns. Fumes can cause headaches, dizziness and stupor.
___Carpet Shampoo -WARNING!
Can cause moderate to severe burns to eyes and skin. Vapors can irritate the nose, throat and lungs.
___Carpet Stain Remover - WARNING!
Can cause moderate to severe damage to eyes and skin. Vapors can cause respiratory distress.
___Upholstery Stain Remover - WARNING! Can cause moderate to severe damage to skin and eyes. Ingesting can lead to abdominal tenderness
and bleeding.
___Disinfectant Cleaner - WARNING!
Contains flammable propellants. Can burn skin and cause permanent corneal damage. Fumes can strongly irritate the nose, throat
and lungs.
___Powdered Bleach - WARNING!
Breathing the dust can produce asthma-like symptoms. Damages eyes and skin. Mixing with ammonia can produce deadly fumes.
___Aerosol Air Freshener - WARNING!
Contains highly flammable propellants. Can cause moderate irritation to the eyes. Can cause mild to moderate lung irritation,
including asthma-like symptoms.
___Window Cleaner -WARNING!
Can cause moderate irritation and damage to the eyes. Fumes can be moderately to highly irritating to the lungs. Can irritate
the skin.
___All-Purpose Cleaner - WARNING!
Strong lung irritant. Can cause mild to moderate damage to the eyes. Fumes can cause weakness and dizziness.
___Basin, Tub & Tile Cleaner - WARNING! Some are flammable. Contains acids that can burn the skin and cause corneal damage. Vapors
can cause strong respiratory irritation.
___Tile/Hard Water Spot Remover - WARNING! Contains corrosive acids that can cause moderate burns and irritation to skin and eyes.
Vapors can be highly irritating to nose, throat and lungs.
___Floor Cleaner - WARNING!
Contains corrosive acids that can cause moderate burns and irritation to skin and eyes. Can burn mouth and throat. Can cause
blindness.
___Scouring Powder with Bleach - WARNING! Can cause moderate irritation to skin. Can burn mouth and throat. Can cause permanent eye
damage. Gives off irritating fumes when wet.
___Drain Cleaner - WARNING!
Burns mouth, tongue, throat, and stomach, causing permanent damage. Can cause severe eye damage and blindness.
___Automatic Dishwashing Liquid - WARNING! Strong skin irritant. Can burn throat. Many products contain bleach which can cause swelling
and tearing of eye tissue. Vapors can cause headaches.
___Automatic Dishwashing Powder - WARNING! Strong eye and skin irritant. Contains corrosive bleach that can burn mouth and throat.
Most common reported poison among children.
___Dishwashing Liquid - CAUTION!
Possible skin irritant. Can cause swelling and tearing of eye tissue. Vapors can cause labored coughing, labored breathing,
and in severe cases, death.
___Liquid Laundry Detergent -WARNING!
Strong eye irritant, can cause corneal damage. Can irritate the skin. Vapors can cause coughing, labored breathing, and in
severe cases, death.
___Powdered Laundry Detergent - WARNING! Can burn the skin and eyes, can cause corneal damage. Dust can cause headaches, dizziness,
labored breathing and in severe cases, death.
___Liquid Fabric Softeners - CAUTION!
Mild eye irritant. Skin irritant. Vapors can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, labored breathing, and in severe cases, death.
Can aggravate asthma symptoms.
___Fabric Softener Sheets - CAUTION!
Possible skin irritant. Can irritate eyes. Vapors can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and in severe cases, death.
___Powdered Carpet Deodorizer - CAUTION! Contact with skin can produce mild irritation. Contact with eyes can cause abrasive eye
damage. Dust can irritate the lungs and aggravate asthma symptoms.
___Aerosol Deodorant - DANGER!
Contains highly flammable propellants. Vapors can irritate the lungs and eyes.
___Aerosol Hair Spray - DANGER!
contains highly flammable propellants. Can cause eye damage due to direct contact. Skin irritant. Vapors can cause headache,
dizziness, and fatigue.
___Mouthwash - CAUTION!
Eye, nose and throat irritant. Ingestion can lead to dizziness and stupor. Most products contain 20%
ethyl alcohol. Each year a number of young child
die from ingestion.
___Cologne/Perfume - Most scents contain
enough alcohol to harm a kill a child after ingesting only a few swallows. Many ingredients can irritate the skin and burn
the eyes.
___Cosmetics - Cosmetics are second only
to cleaning products as a poisoner of children. They are not regulated like cleaners and have no warning labels.