A child aged one year from Ocnita district was rushed to the hospital after drinking diesel fuel. The boy, left in the care of a neighbor, found the fuel in an open container on the floor, near the stove. Doctors warn the grownups to be careful with the toxic substances in the home as they pose a serious danger to children.

In the evening of January 26, the child was transferred from the Ocnita District Hospital to Balti and is now in the Early Age Section. Contacted by IPN, head of the Emergency Admissions Section of the Balti Clinical Hospital Ala Condrea said the boy suffered medium grave poisoning. The doctors are taking measures for this incident not to have consequences for the child. At such an early age, the toxic substances can cause very serious injuries – general poisoning with severe development, burns of the mucous membrane and respiratory spasms.

Ala Condrea stated that this incident could have been avoided if the grownups hadn’t left the dangerous substance at hand. The diesel fuel was in an open container in a room to which the child had access. At the age of one to five, the children perceive the world by tasting and touching and do not realize the dangers to which they are exposed. The detergents, fuels, insecticides and dyes must be kept in closed places up, which are not within the child’s reach.

The children of an early age must be immediately taken to the hospital. In other cases, the parents can consult the specialist of the TOXAPEL service on 022.555.220. This service provides telephonic assistance to parents and medical personnel, teaching them how to give first aid in case of child poisoning.

According to the Ministry of Health, the traumas and poisonings are one of the main causes of death among children aged between 1 and 5 in Moldova. During six years, the REPEMOL (Regionalization of Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Service in Moldova) Project, in cooperation with the authorities, has informed the parents about the measures that they must take to prevent home accidents involving children under five within the campaign “A danger-free home for your child”. Information about how to protect the child is available also on www.parinti.md.