More children are getting drunk. The culprit? Hand sanitizers.
The number of children brought to emergency due to alcohol poisoning after ingesting hand sanitizers has significantly increased from only 3,000 in 2010 to more than 16,000 in 2014.. A Kansas hospital had to treat more than 150 cases this year, many of whom were children below 12 years old. All around the country, the emergency hotline calls have increased to almost 400% since 2010.
What's with hand sanitizers that are making them drunk? These products contain as much as 95% alcohol, which can kill a large population of microbes in a short amount of time. However, that's a lot for a child to handle should he or she thinks about drinking the product.
According to various state poison control networks, the children are often attracted to the scent, which may come in various "flavors" such as strawberry. This may then encourage them to drink the bottle, thinking they'd taste better too. Although the Texas Poison Control Center said that many children may be repelled by the strong taste and smell of the alcohol, others are willing to try to eat and drink anything.
Due to the high concentrated amount of alcohol in the sanitizer and the quickness in which it's consumed, alcohol poisoning can occur. The problem can lead to serious and even deadly complications when treatment is delayed. These include choking, severe dehydration, hypothermia, brain damage, and seizure. It can also affect the blood pressure and heart rate, and the child may stop breathing.
Experts then suggest carefully monitoring the use of hand sanitizers, especially if they appear empty in only a short amount of time. Further, for children below 12 years old, it's best if parents themselves give a hand sanitizer, which should only be a very small amount. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that hand washing with soap and water can already eliminate many germs.
