§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister for Trade, further to his parliamentary replies of 8 December, Official Report, c. 521, if he will now give details of his proposals to improve the safety of toys, electrical goods and other products.
§ Dr. VaughanI am not yet in a position to do so, but I hope to give the House full details before long.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister for Trade if he will take steps to extend the use of child resistant closures to a wider range of dangerous products in common household use; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanThe mandatory use of child resistant closures—CRCs—is confined to certain solid-dose medicines. Any extension to chemical products in common household use would depend on the outcome of 69W current work in the International Standards Organisation. If a suitable standard is forthcoming, I intend to seek expert advice from industry, medical and consumer interests and enforcement authorities on the practicability of requiring CRCs for particular products.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister for Trade what are the latest figures available for accidents to children arising from dangerous products in common household use.
§ Dr. VaughanThe latest figures for home accidents to children are reported from a sample of 20 hospitals, given in "The Home Accident Surveillance System: 1981—Presentation of Twelve Months' Data"—HASS 1981—published on 7 December by my Department. The figures for products involved are not, however, related to particular age groups. If the hon. Member is primarily concerned with the numbers of young children suspected of swallowing certain household products, the figures are as follows:
Table One: The numbers of children reported to HASS as cases of suspected swallowing of household cleaners, kitchen chemiclas etc. by age. Substance Age 0–1 1–2 2–3 3–4 4–5 Window Cleaning Fluid 1 20 10 0 0 Scouring pad 0 0 1 0 0 Oven Cleaner 0 1 0 1 0 Sterlising Liquid/ Tablets 4 3 8 0 0 Ammonia 0 1 1 0 0 Caustic Soda 0 2 1 0 2 Bleach-Liquid 4 35 39 11 6 -Other Specified 1 3 1 1 0 Detergent/Washing Powder 0 7 2 0 0 Washing Liquid for Clothes 1 2 2 1 1 Washing Up Liquid 3 7 6 0 0 Polish-Floor 1 0 0 0 0 -Furniture 1 3 2 0 0 -Metal 1 6 1 1 0 Shoe Polish 0 0 2 0 0 Shoe Dye 0 1 1 0 0 Polish-Other Specified 1 6 0 0 0 -Other Unspecified 0 0 1 0 0 Disinfectant 4 52 33 10 2 Air Freshner 1 6 3 0 0 Lavatory Deodorant/ Cleaner 1 11 6 1 1 Surgical Spirit 8 1 3 0 1 General Cleaner 0 11 4 0 2 Chemical 0 3 6 1 0 Other Specified Cleaners 1 7 7 0 0 Other Unspecified Cleaners 0 1 0 0 0 Dye 0 1 0 1 0 Defrosting Liquid 0 0 0 0 0 Total 33 190 140 28 15 Source: HASS 1981
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Table Two: The numbers of children reported to HASS as cases of suspected swallowing of DIY and Gardening Chemicals, Liquid Fluids, Pesticides etc. Substance Age 0–1 1–2 2–3 3–4 4–5 Paint (Decorating) 0 16 6 0 0 Varnishes 0 1 0 0 0 Glue/Paste/ Adhesive 4 6 11 0 1 Paint Stripper/Thinner 0 5 8 1 0 Paint (Unspecified) 1 1 0 0 0 Putty 0 0 0 0 0 Tar/Pitch 0 0 0 1 0 Creosote 0 1 1 1 0 Solvents 0 3 0 0 0 Petrol 0 2 1 1 0 Paraffin 1 5 2 2 1 Grease/Oil-not cooking 0 5 1 1 0 Lighter Fuel 0 0 1 0 0 Methylated Spirit 0 1 1 1 1 Turpentine/White Spirit 4 71 35 7 3 Acid 1 1 2 1 0 Antifreeze 0 0 2 1 0 Unspecified Grease/ Oil 0 0 1 0 0 Brake Fluid 0 1 1 0 0 Other Flammable/ Corrosive Liquid - Specified 0 1 2 2 0 - Unspecified 0 0 1 0 0 Weedkiller 0 3 5 4 1 Fertiliser 1 8 2 1 0 Animal/Insect Poisons (Not Rat) 4 5 12 1 1 Rat/Mouse Poison 5 30 16 4 2 Mothballs 0 0 0 0 0 Paint (Artists Type) 0 0 0 0 1 Total 21 166 111 28 11 Source: HASS 1981
Table Three: The numbers of children reported to HASS as cases of suspected swallowing of Cosmetics and Toiletries Substance Age 0–1 1–2 2–3 3–4 4–5 Hair Treatments 1 26 10 3 0 Soap 0 1 1 0 0 Toothpaste 0 1 1 1 0 Hair/Remover 0 0 0 0 0 Cosmetics 4 13 6 0 0 Shaving Aids 0 10 15 3 0 Bath Oils/Cubes 0 2 1 0 0 Talcum Powder 0 0 0 0 0 Nail Varnish 0 4 3 0 0 Nail Varnish Remover 5 9 6 1 0 Perfume/Scent 3 18 23 4 0 Deodorant 0 0 0 0 0 Total 13 84 66 12 0 Source: HASS 1981