Experts warn of common household item that can 'burn children's insides'

20 September 2023 , 17:09

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They can have serious and fatal consequences if they fall into the wrong hands (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images)

There are several items in your home that you have to make sure you keep away from little hands. However there are some items that you may never have typically thought could have such serious effects if exposed to children - and parents are warned to keep this item out of sight.

An ex-paramedic has urged parents to keep dishwasher tablets and powder away from children at all times, as if they are ever ingested - could have fatal consequences. He shared how "extremely dangerous" they can be in the wrong hands, as they "burn the insides" due to the chemicals the tablets and powder contain.

The ex-paramedic and founder of the highly popular first aid education site Safer Little Steps, Ross Smith, shared how the dishwasher tablets contain a caustic-type substance that "foams up when a child bites into them or chews them" and urges parents to take care when storing them. "That foam can burn their mouth, burn their airway, [and] burn the tube that goes into their tummy," Ross stressed in a TikTok video for the Safer Little Steps page.

He explained how the colourful design of the tablets might entice children to pick them up and take a bite, potentially mistaking them for sweets. "Keep them out of sight as they're very attractive. Their bright blues, bright reds or multiple coloured round dots in them look like a treat or some sort of sweet that they'd want to have," Ross added.

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He suggested to parents to keep them "high and way out of reach" at home, and to "make sure that cupboard is locked" so there is no way of ever allowing children to come across them. However, if it were to ever be ingested, Ross explains what parents should do in this instance.

"If the child has ingested a lot of this, there's a lot of foaming in their mouth, put them on their side and try and get it out, call the emergency services and listen to the call takers advice. They'll tell you exactly what to do and how to manage that emergency," Ross assured.

The advice given by medical experts from First Aid For Life states that if this happens, you should rinse their mouth as quickly as possible. They further detail: "Moreover, if they have swallowed some of the product, ideally get them to swill milk or alternatively water around their mouth. Make them spit it out and then give them small sips of milk or water to dilute the product down their throat," but state it's important you don't make them sick as "this will cause them to burn again as the corrosive product comes back up."

Niamh Kirk