Health authorities warn of poisoning risks from common cleaning products in the Western Cape
Health officials urge parents to keep household products out of children's reach to prevent accidental poisoning.
Image: Supplied
In the Western Cape, over 500 individuals fell victim to poisoning from common cleaning and household products within a mere six months.
This alarming statistic has led health authorities to issue urgent warnings about the hidden dangers present in everyday items.
From January to June 2025, the Poisons Information Helpline documented a staggering 6,142 poisoning cases, with 514 specifically linked to household products like bleach, detergents, air fresheners, and polishes.
Children are among the most affected. Of these household product-related cases, 243 involved children under five, many of whom accidentally ingested brightly coloured or scented cleaning agents.
“Many poisoning incidents occur not from neglect, but from everyday accidents,” said Cindy-Lee Golding, a specialist at the Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre.
“A momentary lapse, such as leaving a bottle open or storing a cleaner within reach, can have serious consequences. Prevention is the most powerful protection we have.”
The most common culprits were bleach, with 148 cases, followed by detergents (123), air fresheners (54), and polishes (30).
ChildSafe, based at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, urged parents to store chemicals out of children’s reach, keep products in their original containers, and never refer to medicines as sweets.
The Tygerberg Poisons Information Centre also reminded families to ensure good ventilation while cleaning and to avoid transferring chemicals into drink bottles.
Health authorities say that with a few simple precautions, hundreds of these poisoning incidents can be prevented every year.
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Cape Argus