I needed a break and dropped my 2 yr old at my moms house today to go shopping alone. When I went to go pick him up, my mom told me that while she was washing dishes, my son got into her bathroom and went under the sink and grabbed a bottle of toilet bowl cleaner. When she noticed he was in the bathroom, she said he had the bottle upside down dumping it into the toilet. She said she highly doubt he drank any because he was only gone for 3 minutes and he was dumping the bottle down the toilet. He seems fine. He is eating dinner and acting the way he always does, but Im still worried about the possibility that he ingested some. My mom says the chances are slim to none but Im still scared. What kind of things should I look out for him that would point to possible ingestion?
I can't imagine toilet bowl cleaner would taste very good. I think it would be pretty safe to assume if a 2 year old had eaten it he would be crying!!
Hi D.,
First I'm sad for you that during the time you needed a break you had something fearful happen to your son!!!! Not the break you needed, probably..... so make sure you get another one soon!
I might make a call to his pediatrition.... but it sounds like if it's been a couple hours and he seems ok - then he's probably ok. I would check his mouth for swelling or burns and see if he will drink a glass of water. DON'T try to make him vomit. but if he says his tummy hurts - I would call poison control or his ped.
I goggled the MSDS for generic toilet bowl cleaner and here's what it says:
http://www.restoreproducts.com/commercial/msds/toiletbowl...
EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: Ingestion: No effect if ingested in small amounts. Relative to other materials a single dose of this product is rarely toxic by ingestion. Numbness of the mouth and/or irritation of the stomach can develop following ingestion. Eye contact: This material may cause eye irritation. Skin contact: Slight redness may develop on hands and forearms if individual has a history of dermal allergic reaction. Dermatitis and skin sensitization can develop after repeated and/or prolonged contact with human skin. Skin absorption: Systemically toxic concentrations will probably not be absorbed through the skin in humans. Inhalation: None known.
OTHER EFFECTS OF OVER EXPOSURE: None known.
I hope, she will baby-proof/child-proof her home now. And all cabinets and drawers.
And keep dangerous things/pills/anything, up HIGH.
Call the Poison Control center, just to check.
I would always call poison control in cases like this. Your mom also needs to move the chemicals, put child locks on the cabinets, or stop washing dishes or doing chores when she is watching him. Most grandparents don't have childproof homes, and they need to.
Do an inventory next time you are there and look for childproof caps on cleaners, on medications, etc. and also look for drawers with scissors or box cutters, lengths of twine/rope, dangling cords from blinds, and so on.
Good luck!
If your not sure than call Poison Control. They can give you accurate answers you need and alot quicker than we can. My guess is that he is fine but again that's just a guess. Sorry, I know how scary this can be so, I'm sending hugs your way.
Check w/ poison control but I would think you know because even if you didn't see it on him you would smell it on him and he would probably complain (can't taste good).
This is why we use non-toxic products in our homes, always better safe than sorry.
Mot likely he would have burns around his mouth if he drank it.
Don't most toilet cleaners have child proof caps? How on earth did he get it open??!!
You would probably have noticed a reaction quickly. Burns around the mouth maybe, vomiting?? Did it say anything on the bottle what to do? I would call poison control. They can tell you for sure. It sounds like he is fine though. Try not to worry!
A.
Hi D.,
Call poison control immediately. Tell them what he was playing with and how much you think is missing. They will probably tell you to go to the hospital if you are unsure if he ingested anything or not. My guess would be the same as the other ladies that there would be chemical burns in or around his mouth.
I'm with Lynn. We only use non toxic products in our home. You should also think about getting toilet locks as well, for you and your Mom's house. Children that age can fall face first into toilets and drown because they can't pull themselves out.
Your son is probably fine. But better safe than sorry....
God bless,
M.
Call the Poison Control Center and ask them. They're the experts and could tell you what to watch for. Have the bottle on hand (or look it up online) so you can give them the brand and it's ingredients – though they may already have access to ingredients lists. But they will at least need the product name.
Hope this is only a scare.
What a scary situation to have happen! I hope he is ok!
Ii is probably best to either call poisoin control or your pediatrician and ask then what to. It's not always a good idea to ask us on this forum what to do or for our opinions, because most of us are not doctors or nurses. As a result, we aren't able to give you acurate and correct information.
Hope your little one os ok!
I actually called poison control hotline one time cuz my 2 year old accidentaly drank some laundry detergent. I was told to monitor her on severe vomiting as that is one of the first signs to watch for. I was also told that a child most likely won't be "poisoned" unless he/she gobble an entire bottle down his/her throat. Nevertheless, I can certainly feel your worries. Lot of luck to you!
Call Poison Control just to be safe. If he had tried to swallow that you would have known about it. He would have screamed or gotten sick immediately. Sounds like he is fine.
Toilet cleaner is generally quite caustic. He would likely have chemical burns around his mouth, be feeling very ill, and be crying. It sounds like he's okay.
However, if you're at all worried, call poison control. I can't recall their number 1-800-222-1222. They have well-trained people who can listen to the situation, ask the right questions, and give you advice on if you need to take him in. (I've had to call them a few times over the years, never had to take a kid in, and never been made to feel like a bad mom)
