Home cleaning products are making people sick in pandemic. CDC issues safety tips
Household cleaners are making people sick during the coronavirus pandemic, prompting health experts to share safety tips.
Poison control centers are seeing a surge in calls about exposure to cleaning products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.
Several callers reported incidents involving bleach, hand sanitizers or other products used to kill germs, health officials say. At least two people ended up in the hospital, according to the CDC.
The CDC says call numbers may not give a true picture of the issue because not everyone contacts poison control centers for help.
The reports come as shoppers across the nation have been stocking up on household essentials during the coronavirus outbreak. To help stop the spread of the disease, health officials recommend people disinfect surfaces and use hand sanitizers when soap isn’t available.
How can you keep your family safe?
If you have cleaning supplies on hand, experts say you can take measures to help “poison-proof your home.”
“Keep cleaning and disinfectant chemicals such as bleach and hand sanitizers away from kids,” the CDC wrote Tuesday on Twitter.
Recently, some children drank products or got them close to their eyes, causing potential harm, McClatchy News reported.
So, it’s best for parents to store disinfectants behind locked doors or in places that children can’t reach, according to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. People should also keep household cleaners in their original containers to avoid potential mix-ups, health officials say.
Danger can also arise when people don’t use cleaners as intended, according to experts.
“Users should always read and follow directions on the label, only use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on the label), avoid mixing chemical products, wear eye and skin protection,” and make sure there’s enough ventilation, according to the CDC.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 5:08 PM with the headline "Home cleaning products are making people sick in pandemic. CDC issues safety tips."
