If someone accidentally ingests detergent, pesticides, or medicine, do not induce vomiting — take the container and seek medical help right away; if it splashes into the eyes or onto the skin, rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes.

20. If someone accidentally ingests detergent, pesticides, or medicine, do not induce vomiting — take the container and seek medical help right away; if it splashes into the eyes or onto the skin, rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes.

Cost: No cost involved. Simply keep detergents, disinfectants, pesticides, and medicines out of children’s reach, preferably in a locked cabinet. Never transfer them into beverage bottles.

In plain terms: If someone swallows detergent, pesticides, or medicine, do not make them vomit — spitting out corrosive liquids would burn the esophagus all over again. Instead, have them drink some milk or egg whites, then head to the hospital right away while bringing the product container and its instructions. If the substance gets into the eyes or onto the skin, rinse with copious amounts of water for a full 15 minutes; for eyes, gently hold the eyelids open while rinsing and avoid rubbing. Mixing disinfectants with toilet cleaners can produce chlorine gas.

Benefit: The Chinese CDC provides four distinct response protocols. For ingestion: drink milk or egg whites promptly and, crucially, do not induce vomiting. Seek medical care at once while carrying the packaging or label so doctors can quickly identify the ingredients and plan treatment. For inhalation: move the person to fresh air, loosen tight clothing to ease breathing; if coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing occurs, get help immediately. For skin contact: wash the area with water for at least 15 minutes, being careful not to let runoff reach the eyes or intact skin. For eye exposure: flush the eyes with water or saline for a minimum of 15 minutes; keep the eyelids open throughout to ensure full coverage and never rub them. After rinsing, visit an ophthalmologist without delay. Products are categorized by pH: those with pH < 3 include toilet cleaners, descalers, floor cleaners, and stainless‑steel polishes; some heavy‑duty drain cleaners even contain dilute sulfuric acid. Products with pH > 11 comprise drain uncloggers, strong kitchen degreasers, dishwasher powders, oxygen‑based stain removers, and abrasive cleaners. A particularly dangerous combination is mixing disinfectants with hydrochloric‑acid‑based toilet cleaners — this generates chlorine gas that irritates the respiratory tract, provokes severe coughing and breathlessness, and can be life‑threatening.

Evidence grade: B

Sources: China CDC Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control (2025). Summer vacation safety tips: Be wary of strong acid and alkali cleaners. <https://niohp.chinacdc.cn/kpdw/202507/t20250722_308659.htm>

Notes: This rating of B reflects that official guidance outlines how to respond and how to identify hazardous products, yet it lacks quantitative data on exactly how much risk reduction results from following those steps. The reason not to induce vomiting is that corrosive substances would re‑damage the esophagus upon expulsion. If you’re unsure what was ingested, bring the container, its label, and any vomit to the hospital. Prevention is far cheaper than emergency treatment: store chemicals separately from food and drinks, seal containers tightly, discard empty bottles, and never repurpose them for other liquids. When handling these substances, wear rubber gloves and protective goggles, ensure good ventilation, and never mix different types. For carbon monoxide exposure, see item 19; for burns, refer to item 14.