Preventing burns from chemicals and household products

Some household chemicals inside and outside the home can cause burn injuries and skin reactions.

These include cleaning products and gardening chemicals, such as weedkiller.

Your child can get internal burns after swallowing a chemical. They can also get their skin burned by coming into contact with chemicals.

Household chemicals that burn include:

• liquids, powders, tablets, pods and capsules for washing machines and dishwashers
• bleach and bleach products
• cleaning products
• floor and furniture polish
• bathroom cleaning products and bleach products
• weedkiller and insecticides

Keeping household chemicals out of reach

Keep poisonous household chemicals in secure cupboards, out of your child's reach.

Do not leave household products open or unattended while you're using them.

Use cupboard safety locks and buy products with child-resistant caps. Be aware that child-resistant does not mean child-proof.

Never use soft drink bottles to store cleaning products or chemicals. Your child could mistake them for a soft drink. Children can suffer serious injuries from swallowing poisons.