Bleach & Household Cleaner Injury
Household cleaning products may just seem like bottles under your kitchen sink that you rarely think about, but to children these bottles with their colorful labels and bright colored liquids can be very interesting.
According to a study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics, bleach is the number one cleaning product that children get into, however it is not uncommon for children to come into contact with other household cleaners and chemicals. These products are especially dangerous because many of them do not come with safety lids, tops, or spray nozzles.
Types of Dangerous Household Cleaners
You probably use household cleaners every day and think nothing of it. Unfortunately, these same cleaners can be dangerous when swallowed, inhaled, or if they come in contact with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes of everyone, especially little ones. These cleaners and chemicals can cause serious injuries, including burns, scarring, lung damage, eye damage and blindness, poisoning, and even death.
Some of the household cleaners that parents, guardians, and caregivers should be especially mindful of include:
- Bleach
- Antibacterial kitchen and bathroom cleaners
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Glass cleaner
- Laundry and dishwashing detergent
- Chemicals that are used to kill mold and mildew
- Drain cleaning chemicals
- Carpet shampoo
- Furniture polish
- Air fresheners
- Mothballs
- Paint thinner
Keeping Children Safe from Household Cleaners
All potentially dangerous chemicals and cleaners should be kept out of children’s reach, whether that is in a locked cabinet or stored on a high shelf that cannot be easily accessed by a child, even with a step stool. Just one splash of many of these cleaners can quickly spell disaster.
Experts recommend that parents, guardians, and caregivers follow these tips to keep children safe from household cleaners:
- Store bleach and other household cleaners and chemicals away from children in a locked cabinet and do not allow older children see how to unfasten the lock or child safety device.
- Make sure chemicals like nail polish, nail polish remover, perfume, cologne, are also out of the reach of children. Even though they are technically not cleaners, they are still made from potentially dangerous chemicals.
- Never leave toxic cleaners or chemicals unattended when children are around.
- Engage the safety mechanisms on all cleaners when they are not in use and make sure they are put away.
- Dispose of any paper towels, rags, or cleaning wipes after you have finished cleaning.
When to Get Emergency Help
Even with the best preparation, accidents still happen. Parents should keep the national phone number for poison control (1-800-222-1222) on hand and within reach at all times. If your child touched, inhaled, swallowed, or was splashed on their skin or eyes by any chemical the first thing you should do is to read the label of the chemical. Each will have its own emergency instructions that should be followed.
Never induce vomiting unless directed to do so and keep emergency wash liquids on hand. Call 911 and follow their instructions, or take your child to the emergency room immediately, especially if they have lost consciousness. The quicker you react to an accident, the better the chances of your child recovering without serious side effects and long-term harm.
If your child has been injured in an accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
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Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
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