The National Poisons Information Centre at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital has expressed concern over the level of household products involved in accidental poisoning cases in young children.
It says that most poisonings in children under the age of five years involve liquid detergent capsules.
According to the latest annual report from the centre, paracetamol remains most common drug in human poisoning, while fabric cleaning products are the main substances in accidental poisoning in the home.
Nearly 60% of cases last year involved suspected accidental poisoning, 23% were intentional self-poisoning, 11% were therapeutic errors and the remaining cases were undetermined.
Drugs, industrial chemicals and household products were the main substances in human poisoning, with 1,376 cases involving paracetamol being ingested.
The centre says it is aware of nine deaths last year due to poisoning.
It has also reported an increase in calls about alcohol and hand gels in the home.
Last year, the centre dealt with 9,647 inquiries about human poisoning, a small decrease on the previous year.
Dr Joe Tracey, consultant anaesthetist and director of the centre, said he would like to see the Government fund a dedicated telephone line for members of the public, who may have concerns about suspected poisoning.
