It is no secret that germs are everywhere at daycare centers. That is why parents in The Woodlands seek out daycare centers that are frequently cleaned and sanitized. However, cleaning products that help provide a safe environment can also pose a serious risk to children by causing chemical burns.
These serious injuries happen when a child’s skin meets a strong, harmful chemical or the child inhales toxic fumes at a local daycare center. These incidents happen more often than parents would like to imagine: 148 chemical burn cases in children younger than five years old were identified, according to a 2023 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report.
Our experienced daycare injury lawyers are raising awareness of chemical burns, including how these dangerous incidents happen at daycare centers in The Woodlands and how local facilities can proactively keep little ones safe. Our legal team also shares what parents should do if their child experiences a chemical burn while in the care of a daycare center.
How Do Children in The Woodlands Get Chemical Burns at Local Daycare Centers?
The improper storage of cleaning supplies, such as bathroom cleaners made with harsh substances like bleach, ammonia, or an acid, is the most common way that kids can suffer chemical burns at daycare centers in The Woodlands. Facilities should store these products out of reach of little hands in a locked cabinet or high shelf.
Additionally, chemicals not clearly labeled or stored in something other than their original containers (recycled juice bottles, colorful spray bottles, etc.) can be alluring to young children. Little ones can confuse the dangerous liquids for water or juice and accidentally ingest or spill the harsh substance on their delicate skin, causing a chemical burn.
That is why it is key for daycare directors and workers in The Woodlands to take extra precautions when storing these strong cleaning chemicals. Per the state’s minimum standards for daycare centers, all chemicals must be:
- Inaccessible to children by storing the containers in a locked cabinet or room
- Kept separate from food
- Labeled with the name of the chemical and any potential hazards
- Used, stored, and safely disposed of as recommended by the product manufacturer
Our experienced daycare injury lawyers have also helped a family when workers at a daycare center did not read the label of a commercial-grade cleaning solution before disinfecting nap mats. Without seeing the product warnings and following the steps on how to safely dilute and use the solution, an infant’s face was seriously burned.
In some cases, batteries used to power popular children’s toys at daycare centers in The Woodlands can leak alkali and cause chemical burns. Caregivers and staff members should closely inspect all toys during regular classroom safety audits.
How Do Chemical Burns Harm Children in The Woodlands?
When daycare centers in The Woodlands do not follow the minimum standards regarding the proper supervision of children and storage of household cleaners, little ones can sustain the following injuries:
- Burn Wounds: Skin injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild chemical burns may cause redness, itching, and mild pain, while severe burns can cause blisters, deep tissue damage, and permanent scarring.
- Eye Damage: Once in the eye, chemicals can cause permanent damage to the eye’s internal structure by burning into the eyeball if not treated right away. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns toddlers are 13 times more likely to suffer from chemical burns to the eye than grade-school children.
- Respiratory Damage: When a child inhales a harmful chemical such as chlorine-containing bleach, this can result in a severe burn to the nose, windpipe, and throat that causes long-term respiratory issues.
Caregivers and staff at childcare centers in The Woodlands should be trained on how to quickly spot the signs and symptoms of chemical burns and seek immediate medical attention to treat these serious injuries.
What Should I Do If My Child Suffers a Chemical Burn at a Daycare Center in The Woodlands?
If your child experiences a chemical burn injury at a daycare center in The Woodlands, these five steps can help your child heal and hold the daycare accountable for causing the injuries:
- Take your child to an urgent care clinic, pediatrician, or emergency room at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands as soon as possible for medical attention.
- Get an incident report from your child’s daycare. As required by law, an incident report provides a written record of what happened at the facility in The Woodlands and which caregivers were in charge, especially if your child’s chemical burn is severe.
- Report your child’s chemical burn injury to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) by calling the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or report it online at TXAbuseHotline.org. Per Texas laws, the daycare center is required to report any incidents resulting in a child's injury. Your report ensures that the state agency is aware of your child’s chemical burn injury and will open an investigation into the incident at the daycare center in The Woodlands.
- Keep track of all correspondence from the childcare facility and workers in The Woodlands. This includes taking:
- Screenshots of text messages and emails discussing the incident
- Pictures or making copies of any letters from the daycare or its workers
- Detailed notes of any phone calls with the daycare center as they occur.
While it may be overwhelming to remember these steps when you are more concerned about your child, keeping a file of correspondence can benefit your family’s legal case to hold the daycare center in The Woodlands accountable for your child’s chemical burn injury.
- Contact our experienced daycare chemical burn injury lawyers in The Woodlands by calling 281-857-6116 or emailing [email protected]. Chemical burn injuries can be very painful and result in significant physical and emotional trauma for your child. Your family may be eligible for compensation for your child’s medical expenses, therapy and other helpful resources, and pain and suffering. We will be ready to listen and advise your family on the best approach to hold the daycare accountable and get justice for your child’s injuries. However, there is a two-year time limit for filing a personal injury claim, so reach out to our experienced and knowledgeable team as soon as possible.
Parents in The Woodlands can also download our free five-step guide with tips on how to deal with the aftermath of a daycare injury following a chemical burn at a local center.
Our Daycare Chemical Burn Injury Lawyers in The Woodlands Can Help Your Family
Our team of experienced and compassionate daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for you and your family if your child suffered a chemical burn because of negligent actions at a childcare facility in The Woodlands, Texas. Helping clients in Montgomery County, we are ready to listen and fight for your family. Our lawyers at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Call us at 281-857-6116, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.
