Household Cleaners Increasingly Harmful to Young Children

Parents are often focused on external dangers, but a new study published in Pediatrics on April 2, 2026, highlights significant health risks within the home. Accidental injuries, including poisonings and burns, are a leading cause of pediatric emergency room visits in the United States.

Study Reveals Rising Injury Rates

Researchers analyzed 16 years of data (2007-2022) and found nearly 250,000 young children (ages 5 and younger) were treated in emergency departments for injuries related to cleaning products. This equates to one injury every 35 minutes. The injury rate increased from 4.6 per 10,000 children in 2007 to 6.3 per 10,000 in 2022.

Bleach and Detergents: The Top Offenders

Bleach accounted for approximately 30% of all cleaning product-related injuries, while detergents were responsible for 28%, according to Lara McKenzie, Ph.D., senior author of the study and principal investigator at the Center for Injury Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “What surprised me is we are still seeing so many visits to emergency departments associated with very common household cleaning products,” McKenzie tells TODAY.com.

Bleach-Related Injuries

Bleach, also known as sodium hypochlorite, is a common disinfectant used for stain removal and killing mold. Ingesting bleach can cause nausea, vomiting, and severe gastrointestinal damage. The rate of bleach-related injuries has remained consistently high since 2007.

Detergent-Related Injuries

Detergents, used for cleaning clothes and dishes, saw a significant spike in injury rates around 2012 with the introduction of laundry and dish detergent packets. These packets, resembling candy, led to a surge in poisonings, causing throat irritation, choking, and even esophageal burns.

Spray Bottles and Toddler Vulnerability

Beyond the product type, packaging plays a crucial role. While detergent packets are a major concern, spray bottles also contribute significantly to injuries. McKenzie notes that young children easily learn to operate spray bottles, and designs haven’t evolved to prevent this.

Why Toddlers Are At Risk

Children ages 1 and 2 are most frequently injured. At this age, toddlers are mobile, developing dexterity, and intensely curious. However, they lack the cognitive abilities to understand the dangers of household products. “We know from decades of data showing kids will get into this stuff,” says McKenzie.

Safety Recommendations for Parents

McKenzie emphasizes that “child-resistant” packaging isn’t foolproof. The best approach is to make cleaning products inaccessible to children, storing them in locked cabinets or out of reach. She also advises keeping the Poison Help line number readily available in your cell phone. Switching to “non-toxic” cleaners isn’t necessarily safer, as these can also cause harm if ingested or misused.