Poison control sees spike in calls of children, adults ingesting hand sanitizer

Summary

The B.C. Poison Control Centre recorded an increase of people accidentally ingesting hand sanitizer

April averaged seven calls a week about hand sanitizer exposure in children under five, up from two calls a week

Hand sanitizers have a high alcohol content and can cause alcohol poisoning: poison control centre

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The B.C. Poison Control Centre recorded a sharp spike last month in children and adults accidentally ingesting hand sanitizer.

The Drug and Poison Information Centre at the BC Centre for Disease Control averaged fewer than two calls a week in January and February about hand sanitizer exposure in children under five.

In April, there was an average of seven calls per week.

For the same periods, calls about adults being exposed to hand sanitizer rose to 3.5 per week from an average of one.

“Practicing good hand hygiene is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Tom Kosatsky, medical director of environmental health services at BCCDC, says in a release, “and alcohol-based sanitizers are a good option for cleaning your hands when it’s not possible to wash them with soap and water. However, as these products become more a part of our daily lives it’s important to be careful when storing them and using them, especially if there are young children in your home.”

The centre is now urging people to handle and store hand sanitizers safely, including keeping them out of reach of children.

Hand sanitizers have a high alcohol content and can cause alcohol poisoning if consumed in large enough amounts, according to the centre.

“However, most hand sanitizers contain a bittering agent that makes the taste very unpleasant and people who drink hand sanitizer by accident typically only ingest a small amount,” the centre says.

Most the calls in recent weeks have been about exposures to less than a tablespoon and there have not been any serious injuries, says the centre.

“Nonetheless, hand sanitizer poses a particular risk to young children, who can become ill from even a small amount of alcohol due to their small body size,” the centre says.

In response to COVID-19, some businesses, such as breweries and distilleries, that do not typically make hand sanitizer are now producing it, according to the centre.

“These sanitizers are liquid, rather than gel, and are sometimes packaged in bottles or cans that look like beverage containers, making them easier to consume by accident.”

To prevent accidental ingestion, the centre advises says if hand sanitizer is purchased in a bottle that could look like a beverage container, pour it into a different bottle that has been emptied, cleaned and dried. Replacing the cap to differentiate the bottle is another option, and containers should be clearly labelled.

Hand sanitizers should always be stored out of reach of children, pets, and people with dementia, according to the centre. If there are children in a home, avoid buying contained that could be attractive to kids, such as if they are scented or have glitter.

If you think someone has swallowed any amount of hand sanitizer, call your local poison control centre. For the B.C. Drug and Poison Information Centre, call 1-800-567-8911.

For more information about hand sanitizer and cleaning your hands to prevent COVID-19 visit the BCCDC website.