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How to Properly Store E-Liquids and Prevent Accidental Exposure of E-Liquids to Children

Accidental exposure to nicotine-containing e-liquids (the liquid used in “vape” products) can cause injury and even death in children. It’s important to keep these products away from kids and to be prepared in case of accidental ingestion or other emergencies due to unintended exposure.

E-liquids, especially those containing even small amounts of nicotine, can be dangerous to children if they touch or drink it. Concerningly, from April 2022 to March 2023, 7,043 e-cigarette or e-liquid exposure cases were reported, with approximately 88% of exposures occurring among children under 5 years old. E-liquids also can harm pets.

Why E-Liquids Are Dangerous, Especially for Children

Young children can be severely hurt by drinking e-liquids. Harmful effects can include seizure, coma (long period of unconsciousness), respiratory arrest (which happens when a person stops breathing), and death. Children may also accidentally be exposed to e-liquids and their contents, including nicotine, through contact in the mouth, contact on the skin (i.e., spilled e-liquid), or by inhaling the e-liquid aerosol.

It’s important to remember that containers for e-liquids can seem tempting to children of all ages for many reasons. But these products are not meant for children, teens, or young adults.

Follow Storage Tips for E-Liquids—and Teach Children to Avoid These Products

Remember that children are curious and put all sorts of things in their mouths. Even if you turn away for a few seconds, they can quickly get into things that could harm them.

You can help prevent accidental exposure to e-liquids by always putting your e-cigarettes and/or e-liquids in a safe and elevated location, in the original containers—and out of the reach and view of children and pets —every time you use them.

Also ask family members, house guests, and other visitors who vape to store their bags or coats that hold e-cigarettes or e-liquids in a safe and elevated location, out of the reach and view of children and pets.

For children old enough to understand, explain to them that these products can be dangerous and should not be touched. Tell kids that you or another adult are the only people who should handle these products.

Know the Poison Control Phone Number

To be prepared in case of an emergency, also add the Poison Control HELP number (1-800-222-1222) to your phone contacts.

Proper Handling of E-Liquids

When you remove products (adult-only) from their storage locations, it is important to handle them in a way that may help to prevent kids’ exposure to e-liquids.

Report Safety Issues to the FDA

The FDA has regulatory authority over all tobacco products—including e-cigarettes and other vaping products, cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookah, and pipe tobacco—as part of its mission to protect public health.

The FDA continues to warn companies that mislead kids with e-liquids that imitate food products (such as juice boxes, candy, or cookies). The FDA also is pursuing other steps to protect youth from the dangers of tobacco products, such as continuing to enforce regulations addressing youth access and exploring measures to make tobacco products less toxic, appealing, and addictive.

If you experience any unexpected health problems with an e-liquid or any other tobacco product, please report the issue to the FDA using the Safety Reporting Portal.

Content current as of: June 22, 2023

Source: FDA

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