Queensland Health have issued a renewed warning to parents over the dangers of grabbing blankets and clothes out of storage.

The health department have said, “Children can get severe poisoning if they have skin contact with bedding or baby clothes stored with naphthalene (mothballs or flakes).”

The health department also added, “washing fabrics such as wool with soap or detergent and water does not remove all of the naphthalene.

“The fabric can still be very harmful to infants and children. Naphthalene is absorbed well through the skin, especially in young babies but they cannot metabolise it.”

Last winter the Children’s Health Queensland & Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital also shared an important warning to parents about the dangers of using old blankets out of storage.

Posting on their Facebook page they also warned parents about the dangers of naphthalene.

“If the cooler nights have you digging blankets and winter clothes out of storage for your baby, please avoid anything that has been stored with naphthalene (mothballs or flakes).

Babies, particularly those less than six weeks of age, should not wear clothes or sleep in bedding stored with naphthalene because it can cause severe poisoning just through skin contact.

Naphthalene is absorbed easily through the skin, especially in young babies. Babies less than six weeks of age are very sensitive to even small amounts because they cannot metabolise it. This means they can become very sick and take a long time to recover.

The Queensland Poisons Information Centre does not recommend the use of naphthalene products as a moth repellent in baby clothes or bedding. Even washing clothing or blankets with soap or detergent and water does not remove all traces of naphthalene, so it’s best to just avoid it altogether.”

For poisoning advice 24 hours, 7 days a week, call the Queensland Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

Ewww I remember that smell as a child. I have never used them at all myself though. Do you?

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