Six-Year-Old in Ashdod Survives After Accidentally Drinking Paint Thinner from Water Bottle

A six-and-a-half-year-old boy from Ashdod was hospitalized after accidentally drinking paint thinner that workers renovating his home had transferred into a water bottle. The bottle had a flip-top cap, which masked the chemical's strong smell, leading the child to believe he was drinking water. Shortly after ingestion, the boy experienced severe throat burning, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

He was rushed to the pediatric emergency room at Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital, where rapid diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment were initiated. Pediatric gastroenterology and ENT specialists, including Dr. Eitan Damari, deputy head of the pediatric department, assessed the boy and developed an immediate treatment plan. After stabilization, he was moved to the pediatric intensive care unit under Dr. Noa Rosenfeld Yehoshua's supervision. His condition improved significantly, and he is expected to be discharged soon.

The boy’s mother recounted her initial fear and urged parents to never store hazardous substances in drinking bottles and to keep such materials in their original packaging and out of children's reach. Dr. Rosenfeld Yehoshua emphasized the danger of such poisonings, noting that the unusual packaging prevented the typical warning smell, making this case rare. She highlighted the risk of severe damage to vital systems such as respiratory, cardiac, and neurological functions.

Dr. Hagar Gur Superman, head of the pediatric emergency department at Assuta Ashdod, noted that many child poisonings are preventable and warned against transferring dangerous chemicals like paint thinner, bleach, antifreeze, or laundry capsules into food or drink containers. She stressed that safe storage is crucial to prevent such accidents, which can cause severe burns, respiratory damage, complex surgeries, or lifelong harm.