PASSOVER CLEANING IS POISONING ISRAELI KIDS

Doctor: Passover cleaning can be harmful
The number of accidental poisonings of Israeli children triple before Passover because of a higher use of cleaning fluids, a leading Israeli doctor said.

Dr. Jacob Assaf, head of the department of emergency medicine at Hadassah-Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, said those cleaning should be particularly careful with liquid drain cleaners, and should avoid mixing bleach with acids. Parents also should be careful when cleaning out medicine chests, making sure children do not get hold of potentially dangerous drugs. Observant Jews clean out their houses before the holiday as part of a search for bread and other leavened items, which are not allowed during Passover week.