Many people don’t realize that liquid nicotine is a dangerous poison. The liquid, which is also called e-juice, e-liquid, vape juice, or vape liquid, often contains nicotine and flavorings. The sweet scents, bright colors of the liquid and packaging, and pictures of fruit and candy on the labels can make liquid nicotine appealing to young children.
How dangerous is liquid nicotine? Medical research has shown that if a young child swallows just a sip of liquid nicotine, it can cause severe illness, including stomach ache, vomiting, fast heart rate, seizures, difficult breathing, and even death. Liquid nicotine is also easily absorbed through the skin, so even touching a small amount can be potentially harmful.
Although there have been changes to the design of liquid nicotine refill containers, the risk of liquid nicotine exposure and poisoning for young children remains high (in 2019, about 50% of calls to U.S. poison control centers related to liquid nicotine involved children 5 years of age and younger). Follow these tips to help keep your children safe from liquid nicotine poisoning:
Up, away, and out of sight. Keep vaping products, including pens, e-cigarettes, pods, and liquids in a place that is too high for children to reach or see, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Refill alone. Refill e-cigarette cartridges when children are not around, and put liquid nicotine away immediately after every use.
Clean up right away. Immediately clean up any spills with paper towels. Bag them and place them in a trash can that a child cannot access.
Get rid of unused liquid nicotine. Follow the recommendations on the label for safe disposal. If there are no instructions, pour the unused liquid into a bag of kitty litter or coffee grounds. Put empty containers, paper towels, and other used supplies into the bag. Tie the bag tightly and throw it away in a trash can that a child cannot access.
Call Poison Help Line: 1-800-222-1222. Post this number in a visible place and save it in your cell phone. Call right away if you think a child has come in contact with liquid nicotine.
For more information on liquid nicotine poisoning prevention and other child safety topics, visit www.PreventChildInjury.org.
