Protect yourself and your family from poisonings: always read and follow the label directions when using hand sanitizers, disinfectants, household cleaning products and bleaches

Product: Various hand sanitizers, disinfectants, household cleaning products and bleaches. Issue: Health Canada is warning Canadians about the risks of poisoning when improperly using hand sanitizers, disinfectants, household cleaning products and bleaches. What to do: Always read and follow the directions on product labels. Media enquiries Public enquiries OTTAWA – Health Canada is warning Canadians about the risks of improperly using hand sanitizers, disinfectants, household cleaning products and bleaches, and reminding them to always read and follow the directions on product labels. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increased demand for, and use of, these products. However, there have been several reports of unintentional poisonings from their improper use. Between February and March of this year, poison centres across Canada received 58% more cases of people being poisoned by, or exposed to, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, household cleaning products and bleaches, compared with the same period last year.

Always read and follow the directions on product labels. Limit the spread of COVID-19 by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If this is not possible, use a hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol, that has been authorized by Health Canada. Check whether a product and its claims have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized hand sanitizers have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN or Natural Product Number (NPN on the label and are listed on the List of Hand Sanitizers Authorized by Health Canada . Authorized hard-surface disinfectants will have an eight-digit DIN on the label and are listed on the Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) . If you or someone else has been in contact with any of these household products and you think there is a risk of harm: Call a Poison Centre or your health care provider right away. Have the product label handy to provide its information to the person who answers the phone. Bring the original product container with you when you go for help. Report the incident to Health Canada. Find more information on Health Canada's website about safely buying, using, storing and disposing of health products and household chemical products . For the latest and most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit Canada.ca/coronavirus .