Chemical and poison risks for children in the home guide

Injury hazard type

About chemical and poison risks for children in the home

Many household products used for cleaning, personal care or beauty can be dangerous for babies and children.

Products unsafe for children can be found anywhere in your home including the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry.

Be wary of these products in your home while you have young children:

laundry capsules
caustic soda-based products like drain and oven cleaners
cleaning products, such as ammonia and bleach
pool and garden chemicals
alcohol/ethanol-based products like hand sanitiser, perfumes, and mouthwash
button batteries
cosmetic and health products.

Button batteries can be found in toys, remote controls, watches, computers, cameras, calculators, torches, fitness devices, musical greeting cards, digital scales, and home medical devices such as thermometers.

Find out about other household products that are dangerous for children.

Risks and injuries from the product

Children are more susceptible to the effects of chemicals and poisons than adults. Swallowing a chemical, getting it on their skin or in their eyes or mouth can lead to serious injuries and death.

Children have been seriously injured and died due to swallowing or inserting button batteries.

Serious injuries can include:

chemical burn
conjunctivitis, pain in the eye, or eye irritation
internal bleeding
poisoning
skin irritation and rashes
severe vomiting, coughing, respiratory disorders, nausea, drowsiness and unconsciousness.

If a child is exposed to chemicals or poisons

Call Triple Zero (000) in the case of an emergency or a severe exposure.

Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

If the product is:

swallowed, seek medical attention immediately and call the Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26
within the mouth, rinse the child's mouth and face thoroughly
close to the eyes or on hands, rinse with plenty of water.

If you can, refer to the product’s label and instructions. Some products will advise to induce vomiting while others will not. It’s important these instructions are followed.

Things to look for when buying the product

While your children are young, it’s best not to buy products that can pose risks to them.
Look for products that are non-toxic.
If you need to buy products that contain poisons, check they have child-resistant packaging and lids.
If you can, avoid products with button batteries if you have children. Otherwise make sure you buy child resistant button battery products.
Children are often attracted to bright colours and small objects, like laundry pods. You could buy alternatives like powder or liquid.

How to use the product safely

Read the labels or instructions to check if they contain dangerous ingredients.
Supervise your child whenever poisons or chemical products are being used.
Properly seal these products once opened.
Keep household poisons and chemical products in their original containers.
Put products away immediately after use.
Store products up high in cupboards, out of reach and out of sight of children.
Put a child resistant lock on, if storing these products in cupboards that are low or accessible by children.
Check to make sure button battery compartments on all devices are child resistant.
Always store button batteries out of reach of children.
Dispose of used batteries immediately after taking them out of a device.

Next steps if the product is unsafe

When buying a product, consumers have the right to expect the product is of acceptable quality.

Acceptable quality includes that the product is safe, durable and free from defects.

If you bought a product that is unsafe or doesn't comply with a mandatory standard, you can report it to us.

Report an unsafe product

If a person is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).