Almost half of the poisoning cases are in children under the age of 6
In preparation for Passover, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Center for Information on Poisoning at the Rambam Medical Center and the Prem organization for child safety, are publishing safety rules for the use of household cleaning agents and chemicals.
According to the data of the National Poisoning Information Center at the Rambam Medical Center, almost half of the referrals (44%) are due to poisoning or suspected poisoning in children under 6 years of age.
In the week before Passover in 2021, there was an increase of approximately 25% in requests for counseling, both among the general population and among children up to the age of 6 compared to the weekly average this year.
An increase in the number of cases each year
The data from the National Poisoning Information Center at the Rambam Medical Center show that every year there is an increase in the number of exposures to poisons in the week before Passover. In 2021, there were 983 inquiries in the week before Passover, an increase of about 25% compared to the weekly average this year. About half of the inquiries were Regarding toddlers and children under 6 years old.
Exposure to chemicals and mixing materials
More than half of the inquiries in the week before Passover were due to exposure to chemicals, mainly damage from household cleaners, disinfectants and pesticides. Common examples are bleach, soap, degreasers, descalers, insecticides, acids and petroleum distillates.
In many cases, the injury is due to mixing cleaning agents which causes the release of gases that irritate the respiratory tract to the point of respiratory distress. There are also many cases of chemical burns, eye damage, and even dangerous cases of accidental ingestion of cleaning materials by children.
Most accidents - at home!
Most accidents happen at home! This phenomenon repeats itself every year when the preparations for Passover are in full swing. Thorough cleaning, scrubbing the house, painting, cleaning and sanitizing the dishes and the kitchen are an opening to dangers. These operations are done using cleaning agents and chemicals, dyes and pesticides. The materials are often within reach of the children, in open packages, in bulk and even transferred to drink bottles and glasses.
Caution - medicines!
In addition to injuries from cleaning agents, it is also seen in drug poisonings. During this week, it is customary to clean and arrange the home medicine cabinet, many medicines are left unattended, thrown in the trash, and from there the path to the child is short. During this period, the children are on vacation, at home and often without adequate supervision. These conditions increase the risk of accidents at home in general and poisoning in particular.
Safe home use of detergents and medicines
Dr. Yael Luria, Director of the National Center for Information on Poisoning - Rambam Medical Center, and Orly Silbinger - CEO of Betram Children's Safety Organization, bring you rules for safe household use of cleaning agents andin medicines.
Maintain a safe home for children according to the ten rules:
Cleaners:
- Store household cleaning products in a closed cabinet out of reach of children. After using cleaning and disinfecting agents, close tightly and immediately return to the place. Many children are injured when parents are cleaning and the materials are nearby.
- Leave cleaning products in their original packaging. Do not transfer to unmarked containers, cups, drinking bottles or food packaging.
- Keep disinfectants (such as alcohol gel) out of the reach of children. Do not allow children to use cleaning and disinfecting agents themselves.
- Carefully read the instructions for use of the cleaning materials. Do not mix materials.
- Children should not be allowed to play with detergent, spray, disinfectant or medicine packages, even if they are tightly closed. Many children know how to open safety locks.
Medicines:
- Store medicines out of the reach and sight of children. After use, close well and immediately return to the place. Medicines in the refrigerator must be kept in a well-closed and labeled box.
- Before giving medicine to a child, read the instructions carefully. Medicines given as mouth drops (including iron preparations and vitamins) should be dripped into a spoon and then given to the child. Do not drip directly from the bottle into the mouth.
- Do not leave medicines on the table/counter in the kitchen or other accessible place. Many children are harmed due to taking medicines intended for siblings/grandparents and left for their use without supervision.
- Keep purses and bags in which you keep medicines out of the reach of children.
- Medicines or vitamins should not be presented as sweets in order to convince the children to take them.
In case of poisoning or suspected poisoning:
- Do not induce vomiting!
- Wash the skin and eyes with a large amount of running water.
- Contact the National Poison Information Center for advice: 04-7771900
- In case of difficulty breathing, convulsions or loss of consciousness, immediately call 101