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Publication Type: Newsletter
Single or Multiple Incident: Multiple
Date: 6/18/2020 12:00:00 AM
Country: Canada
This newsletter addresses the potential for poisoning by cleaning products and hand sanitizers when they are inappropriately stored in containers commonly used for beverages. Cases of poisonings caused by products used to clean homes and hands have been on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past few months, poison control centres across Canada have seen a 58% increase in poisonings from disinfectants, cleaning products, bleaches, and hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizers packaged in bottles usually used for drinks, such as wine, liquor, soft drinks, and water provide potential for poisoning. When liquid hand sanitizers are available in these containers, it increases the chances that someone might accidently drink them. This problem is less likely to occur with gel hand sanitizers. The newsletter provides suggestions to keep consumers and their families safe during and beyond the pandemic.

Additional Details

Medication/Gas/Fluid:
alcohol

Environment / Equipment
  1. Store cleaners, bleaches, disinfectants, and sanitizers safely, out of the reach of children and pets.
Communication
  1. In case of accidental poisoning, call your local poison centre. Be ready to share information about the specific product causing the problem.
Rules / Policies / Procedures
  1. Always read and follow the directions on product labels.
  2. Never mix cleaners, especially those that contain bleach.
  3. Transfer liquid (not gel) hand sanitizer that is packaged in a beverage bottle into an empty, clean, dry container (such as a spray bottle). Or replace the cap of the sanitizer bottle with a pump or spray top to make it look different from a drink container. Label the new sanitizer container and include the words “For external use only”.

Prevent Accidental Poisoning Caused by Cleaning Products and Hand Sanitizers