Question reference: S4O-02397
- Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 11 September 2013
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 September 2013
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to warn parents and carers of the danger from children swallowing laundry or dishwasher tablets.
Answer
The Scottish Government provides funding to the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to promote and raise awareness of home safety issues across Scotland, including poisonings as a consequence of ingesting the contents of the laundry and dish washing products.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with support from RoSPA has recently launched an initiative called “Not for play…keep them away”. This is raising awareness to families in the Glasgow area with a three or four month old child in an effort to curb liquitab poisonings. As part of the campaign, free cupboard locks are also being provided, which should help to make sure that laundry and dishwasher tablets are kept away from children.
It must be recognised however, that cupboard catches are child resistant, not child-proof so there is still a need for ongoing awareness and vigilance. Any accident is one too many and the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with RoSPA to promote home safety. I will instruct my officials to seek feedback on how this campaign is received and to continue to consider what more can be done on a national basis to support this issue.