I heard that drinking milk is good when accidental ingestion occurs?

Milk may be effective in some cases, but depending on the ingredients, there is a risk that it may speed up absorption. Always seek instructions from Poison 110 before making a decision.

Can I prevent it if I write "Detergent" in big letters on the PET bottle?

You cannot prevent it. The brain in a thirsty state judges it as a drink by the "bottle shape" before reading the text. Visual warnings are only an aid, and stopping the transfer itself is the only correct answer.

Can I hold the manufacturer responsible if an accident occurs after refilling?

Refilling into beverage bottles significantly deviates from the "correct usage" assumed by the manufacturer. Relief under the PL Law (Product Liability Act) is extremely difficult, and it becomes the full self-responsibility of the person who refilled it.

[Urgent Warning] Stop Refilling PET Bottles! Survival Strategies for Accidental Ingestion

飲料用ペットボトルに移し替えられた青い洗剤と、それに手を伸ばす子供の手。赤い「×」印で誤飲の危険性を警告するアイキャッチ画像。

“Just a little bit,” “It’s convenient.” That casual carelessness in daily life can turn into a “man-made disaster” that takes the lives of beloved family members. On February 4, 2026, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (NCAC) issued an alert titled “Stop transferring contents to beverage PET bottles! – Accidental ingestion of detergents and insecticides is occurring.” In this article, from the perspective of an infrastructure professional, we thoroughly audit why refilling PET bottles becomes an “unavoidable trap,” the physical risks involved, and survival actions in case of emergency.

TOC

[Conclusion] Refilling PET Bottles is a “Trap for Your Family”

クロマル

Putting “colorless, transparent poison” into a beverage PET bottle. That is the same as setting a trap for a thirsty family member saying, “Drink this,” meow. In the infrastructure field, container management is life management itself. Starting today, refilling is strictly prohibited, meow!

プラチナちゃん

What? A trap…? But I often hear about people dividing up leftover detergent or storing leftover kerosene in PET bottles, don’t I?

Answer First: Iron Rules for Saving Lives

Transferring detergents or chemicals into PET bottles creates an “accidental ingestion trap” that is extremely difficult for children and the elderly to avoid. The only way to prevent accidents is to “never store them in anything other than their dedicated containers.”

Chapter 1: Why Do “Drinking Mistakes” Happen? Deconstructing the Structure of Misidentification

クロマル

Overconfidence, thinking “I’m careful so it’s fine,” is the most dangerous thing, meow. The human brain has a characteristic of judging the contents just by looking at the shape, meow.

ミントちゃん

Let me supplement that. This is a phenomenon called “Affordance” in cognitive psychology. Because the brain unconsciously applies the rule “PET bottle shape = Drink,” it becomes an irresistible command for those with poor eyesight or those who are thirsty.

When people are thirsty, they recognize a “drink” just by looking at the “shape of the PET bottle” before reading the label in detail, and unconsciously bring it to their mouths. Once a liquid is put into a PET bottle, it is already labeled as a “drink” rather than “poison” in the brain’s system.

Comparison Item	Beverage PET Bottle	Dedicated Refill Container
Brain Recognition (Affordance)	Automatically judged as “Drink”	Cautioned as “Chemical/Detergent”
Risk of Accidental Ingestion	Extremely High	Low
Safety Measures	None (Easily opened)	Child locks, etc., may be available

Table: Comparison of Misidentification Risk between PET Bottles and Dedicated Containers

Chapter 2: Physical Damage Caused by Transferred “Deadly Poison”

プラチナちゃん

Can just one accidental sip really cause such big trouble? Can’t you just wash out your stomach…?

ミントちゃん

Unfortunately, the reality is much harsher. The medical institution network received 8 reports of accidental ingestion of contents transferred to beverage PET bottles over approximately 5 years and 7 months from April 2020 to October 2025.

[Case 1] Decline in ADL (Activities of Daily Living) due to accidental detergent ingestion
A middle-aged family member accidentally ingested detergent containing fabric softener that another family member had transferred to a PET bottle. It caused chemical pneumonitis (vomit entering the trachea and chemically damaging the lungs), forcing hospitalization for over 30 days. This is a case where, even after discharge, their ability to live daily life (ADL) declined significantly, to the point where they could not move as before.

[Case 2] Accidental ingestion of insecticide or thinner mistaken for tea
Cases have been reported where someone was hospitalized after taking a sip of insecticide transferred to a PET bottle, thinking it was tea, and a case (hospitalized for 5 days) where a PET bottle containing thinner placed in a garage fell over and the smell came from a child’s mouth.

クロマル

Even if their life is saved, there is a risk of lasting effects on the lungs or becoming bedridden, meow. This is the true nature of the man-made disaster called “refilling,” meow.

Chapter 3: Survival Actions: Emergency Procedures in Case of “Accidental Ingestion”

プラチナちゃん

If a family member drinks it…! I have to hurry and stick my finger down their throat to make them vomit!

クロマル

Wait! That is strictly prohibited, meow!

ミントちゃん

A warning from Mint as well. If detergent, insecticide, kerosene, etc., are accidentally ingested, forcing vomiting can cause the vomit to enter the trachea and chemically burn the lungs, causing “Chemical Pneumonitis,” which can be fatal.

1. Do NOT force vomiting: This is the top priority to prevent secondary damage.
2. Rinse the mouth: Rinse any remaining substance from the mouth with water and have them spit it out without swallowing.
3. Check substance and amount: Confirm “what,” “when,” and “how much” was ingested, and secure the container.
4. Contact Poison Center: Immediately contact the Japan Poison Information Center below and follow their instructions.

Japan Poison Information Center (General Public / 24 hours / Free)

Osaka Poison 110: 072-727-2499
Tsukuba Poison 110: 029-852-9999

*Please provide the following information when consulting: Age, weight, product name of ingested item, ingredients, amount, time, current symptoms (consciousness, breathing, vomiting, etc.)

Step	Action	Purpose
1	Contact Poison 110 / 119	Obtain professional instructions (Decision on whether to induce vomiting)
2	Do not vomit; rinse mouth	Prevent additional mucosal damage and inflow into lungs
3	Secure the actual item (container)	Rapid identification of poison and detoxification by doctors

Table: Survival Actions within 5 Minutes of Accidental Ingestion

Chapter 4: Household “Zero Risk” Management: 3 Iron Rules

プラチナちゃん

I understand the danger now… I will check all PET bottles in the house right away. Is there anything else I should be careful about?

クロマル

As an infrastructure management pro, I will teach you the “physical walls” to cut off risks at the source, meow.

Iron Rule 1: Strict Use of Dedicated Containers: Never transfer to beverage PET bottles for any reason. If refilling, use only dedicated bottles designed to “prevent accidental ingestion.”
Iron Rule 2: Physical Separation of Storage Locations: Do not place “food” and “chemicals” on the same shelf. Do not just separate them by upper and lower shelves; separate them completely, such as in different rooms or outdoor sheds.
Iron Rule 3: Explicit Warnings: If absolutely necessary, attach highly visible “warning labels” in multiple places. Use waterproof labels that do not peel off easily, and list the content name, ingredients, and Poison 110 number.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Is it okay to wait and see if it’s just a small amount (less than a sip)?: A. No. Ingredients such as surfactants and insecticides can cause chemical pneumonitis if even a small amount enters the trachea. Do not judge by yourself; contact Poison 110 immediately.
Q. I heard that drinking milk is good when accidental ingestion occurs?: A. Milk may be effective in some cases, but depending on the ingredients, there is a risk that it may speed up absorption. Always seek instructions from Poison 110 before making a decision.
Q. Can I prevent it if I write “Detergent” in big letters on the PET bottle?: A. You cannot prevent it. The brain judges by “shape” before reading text. Stopping the transfer itself is the only correct answer.
Q. Can I hold the manufacturer responsible if an accident occurs after refilling?: A. It is difficult. Refilling into beverage bottles significantly deviates from the “correct usage.” Relief under the PL Law (Product Liability Act) is difficult, and it becomes the self-responsibility of the person who refilled it.

Summary: Protecting Family from Disadvantage with the Shield of Wisdom

Key Points of This Article

Refilling PET bottles is a “life trap” for your family.
In case of accidental ingestion, NEVER force vomiting.
Immediately register the “Poison 110” number on your refrigerator or smartphone.

Timeline Actions for Survival

[Within 5 minutes]: Check PET bottles throughout the house and immediately dispose of any with unknown contents.
[Within 1 week]: Review storage locations for detergents, etc., and physically separate them from food.
[Right Now]: Register Poison 110 (Osaka: 072-727-2499 / Tsukuba: 029-852-9999) in your phone book.

プラチナちゃん

I will check the shed and kitchen as soon as I get home today!

ミントちゃん

That action will be the first “audit” to protect your loved ones.

クロマル

It’s too late to regret after an accident happens, meow. Even in this situation, the only rational action you can take right now is to throw away that PET bottle, just that, meow!

Please stop the tragedy of “I could have prevented it if I had known” with your own hands.