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How to safely store household poisons away from children

Always store products in your home safely out of reach and sight of children.

Cleaning products

There are things you can do to keep your child safe from cleaning products.

Do

  • store cleaning products in secure high cupboards

  • use child safety locks on cupboards

  • keep products in their original containers with the labels on (to avoid them being mistaken for drinks)

  • put lids back on products after you've used them

  • buy products with child-resistant caps where possible

Don't

  • do not use drink bottles as storage for cleaning products or chemicals

  • do not leave cleaning products open or unattended while you're using them

  • do not mix cleaning products or use 2 different products at the same time - some mixtures can produce a toxic gas

Child-resistant caps

Buy products with child-resistant caps where possible.

Important

Child-resistant does not mean child-proof.

Child-resistant lids will only slow children down when they try to open a container. It is best to keep products out of reach of children.

Handbags

Be careful what objects you leave in your car or handbag. Your children may be able to see and reach them.

This includes:

  • medicine
  • cigarettes and vapes
  • cosmetics
  • sanitiser
  • car products
  • other chemicals

Keep all handbags, including visitors' bags, out of your child's sight and reach.

Poison risks

Page last reviewed: 18 March 2026
Next review due: 18 March 2029