A couple, who are determined to warn fellow parents of the dangers associated with household cleaning products, have opened up about a recent traumatic ordeal which saw the hospitalisation of their little girl.

Colin and Sarah Maher were thrust into every parent's worst nightmare when their daughter, Jenny, suffered an extreme reaction after biting into a dishwasher tablet in the home she shares with her parents.

Recalling the event which has the potential to play out in homes all over the country, Colin said: "These dishwasher tablets are individually wrapped and look like sweets to children. Jenny took it from the press and, like all children, she put it into her mouth."

Despite immediately rushing to their daughter's aid, a horrified Sarah realised Jenny had already broken the plastic seal and swallowed some of the tablet's contents.
 


"My wife Sarah raced across the kitchen to take it out of her mouth but, at that stage, Jenny had bitten into it and some of the liquid got into her mouth," recalled Colin as he reflected on the implications of the innocent action.

According to the Irish Daily Star, Jenny, who immediately began vomiting, was soon having trouble breathing and was rushed to a hospital in Dublin where she remained in intensive care for a week.

Unfortunately, Jenny's case was by no means rare, with Colin explaining: "The doctors told us they see between 100 and 200 cases of this every year. After it happening to us, we would advise all parents to keep household cleaning products and chemicals out of reach of children."
 


Having been discharged from hospital last Friday, Jenny is doing well, but her parents are still coming to terms with the heartbreaking ordeal and hope their experience will act as a warning to other families.

"After what we have been through, we would advise any parent in this situation to bring their child to the hospital immediately. Had we delayed at all with Jenny, the outcome would have been a lot worse," Colin explained.

We're very relieved to know little Jenny is doing well.

268 Shares

Latest

Trending