NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A new study has highlighted the dangers of a popular product you probably have somewhere around your home.
A nationwide analysis from the Georgia Poison Center showed that in the last four years, the number of calls to poison control centers reporting kids ingesting hand sanitizer, either accidentally or on purpose, has quadrupled.
The report showed that the increase had to do with young kids accidentally consuming it, or some purposely drinking it, or mixing it with other liquids to get drunk.
While doctors at Vanderbilt Medical Center said they haven’t seen many cases of hand sanitizer intoxication yet, they have been worried they could increase.
“Kids and young adults continue to try new and stupid things, and this is one of the newer and stupider things to do,” said Dr. Corey Slovis with Vanderbilt Emergency Medicine.
Doctors said a safer alternative to hand sanitizer for kids to clean their hands are non-alcohol based cleaners or hand wipes.
