The danger lurking for your children at this time of year - Walla! health

2021-03-20T14:07:47.492Z

Every year, in the week before Pesach, the number of children exposed to toxic and dangerous substances increases greatly. Why does this happen and how is it avoided? These are the recommendations of an organization prior to child safety

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Child health

The danger lurking for your children at this time of year

Every year, in the week before Pesach, the number of children exposed to toxic and dangerous substances increases greatly.

Why does this happen and how is it avoided?

These are the recommendations of an organization prior to child safety

This way, cleaning Pesach can reduce your stress

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Data from the National Poison Information Center at Rambam Medical Center show that every year in the week before Passover the number of exposure to toxins increases. In 2020, the week before Pesach there were 992 applications, an increase of about 35 percent compared to the weekly average in 2020. Under the age of 6. The data also show that 51 percent of referrals in the week before Passover were due to exposure to chemicals and 39 percent due to exposure to drugs.

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Referrals due to exposure to chemicals in the week before Passover were mostly due to damage from household cleaners, disinfectants and pesticides, such as bleach, soap, degreasers, scale removers, insecticides, acids and petroleum distillates.

In many cases the damage is due to mixing of detergents that causes the release of gases that irritate the airways.

Why does this happen every year anew?

In this week before Pesach, there is a clash between several dangerous elements - children on vacation, busy parents and a lot of toxic substances on hand.

Thorough cleaning, scrubbing the house, painting, cleaning and polishing the dishes and the kitchen are an opening for dangers.

These operations are done using detergents and chemicals, paints and pesticides, and the materials are often within the reach of children, in open packages, in bulk and even transferred to bottles and beverage glasses.

These hazardous substances are often within the reach of children.

Toddler next to detergents (Photo: ShutterStock)

In many homes it is also customary to clean and tidy the home medicine cabinet before Pesach, and then many medicines are left unattended, thrown in the bin, and from there the child is short.

The organization Before Child Safety joined this year the National Coordinator for Information on Poisoning and published rules for the safe home use of detergents and medicines.

These are the rules you must remember:

Household cleaners should be stored in a closed closet without access for children.
After using detergents and disinfectants, close tightly and return immediately.
Many children are injured when parents clean and materials nearby.
Detergents should be left in their original packaging.
Do not transfer to unmarked containers, glasses, drinking bottles or food packaging.
It is important to keep disinfectants (such as alcohol) out of the reach of children.
Children should not be allowed to use detergents and disinfectants themselves.
Detergents should be used for their intended purpose.
Carefully read the instructions for use.
Do not mix ingredients.
Do not allow children to play with packaging of detergents, sprays, disinfectants or medications, even if they are tightly closed.
We stored medications out of reach and sight of children.
After use, seal tightly and return immediately.
Medications stored in the refrigerator should be stored in a tightly closed box and marked.
Do not leave medicines intended for another person on the table / marble in the kitchen or other accessible place.
Many children are injured due to taking medications intended for a brother / sister / grandparent and left unattended for their use.

In case of any exposure or suspicion of exposure to a toxic substance, contact Medical Assistance or the National Center for Information on Poisoning, Rambam Medical Center, at 04-7771900.