E-liquid must be kept out of children’s reach, in its original packaging and properly closed. This also applies to opened bottles, refills in use, and products that do not contain nicotine. L’s aim is to prevent accidental exposure, not to present or recommend products.
Information verified on October 30, 2026. For adults. In the event of exposure, follow the instructions of a poison control center or emergency services rather than this guide.
Has a child possibly swallowed e-liquid? N’t wait for symptoms to appear before seeking advice from a poison control center. Do not make the child vomit or give them anything to drink or eat unless instructed by a medical professional. If they lose consciousness, have serious difficulty breathing, or there is another serious emergency, call 15 or 112. Keep the bottle and label handy.
These basic guidelines are based on the recommendations of Assurance Maladie on poisoning by ingestion and poison control centers.
Why storage matters as much as closure
The DGCCRF reminds consumers that refills must be kept out of children’s reach and that the recommendations on the product must be followed. Nicotine content is not the only thing to consider: the mixture’s composition and classification may call for different precautions.
A child-resistant cap is no substitute for storing it somewhere inaccessible. L’s practical approach is to combine precautions rather than choose between them: keep the container in its original packaging, close it immediately after use, and store it in a locked place the child cannot reach.
A “fairly high” shelf today may become accessible with a stool or as a child grows. So when you reorganize your home, it makes sense to check where you store things. It’s better to choose a designated spot than to move bottles from one surface to another.
Five simple checks to do at home
1. Choose a closed, inaccessible location
Choose a dedicated storage place, out of children's sight and reach, ideally locked. Avoid coffee tables, bedside tables, coat pockets, bags left on the floor, and easy-to-open drawers. Also follow the storage conditions indicated by the manufacturer.
Our organizational suggestion: check the storage when you prepare your things for the day. This check can include containers in a bag, not just those kept in a cabinet.
2. Keep the original bottle and label
Do not transfer the liquid into a food container, drink bottle, or unmarked vessel. Labeling helps identify the product and find its precautions. It can also provide useful information to the poison control center.
A flavor name alone does not tell you its composition or level of danger. Likewise, one bottle should not be identified from memory just because it looks like another. Reading its label avoids relying on visual similarity alone.
3. Close, then put away without delay
After handling, replace the cap according to the instructions. A container left open “just for a few moments” remains accessible if you are interrupted. Planning where to put it away before you start is easier than looking for a place once your hands are busy.
When several adults use the same space, a shared rule prevents misunderstandings: everyone closes and puts away what they have handled, without assuming someone else will take care of it.
4. Keep liquids separate from food and medication
Storage should not create confusion with food or medication. Separate spaces and clearly labeled packaging are preferable to a box containing all the small bottles in the household.
This arrangement can also help another adult caring for the children: they know which areas must remain closed and don't have to identify unfamiliar containers. Letting a trusted person know complements secure storage; it does not replace it.
5. Check passageways and visitors' belongings
A product may be stored safely in its usual place and then become accessible during a visit. At someone else's home, in a rental, or when a bag is left in the entryway, take the same precautions. Simply ask the adults present to keep their products and devices out of reach.
This check applies to all potentially dangerous everyday products. It can be part of a broader review of medicines, household products, and other small objects, without making children responsible for their own safety.
What should you do if ingestion is possible?
L'Assurance Maladie advises acting quickly, even when there are no symptoms. Do not try to decide on your own whether the amount seems “too small to be dangerous.” Contact a poison control center for an individual assessment; if there are serious symptoms, contact emergency services.
Prepare the information you know: the child's age, the product involved, the approximate time of exposure, the circumstances, and any symptoms. Distinguish what you observed from what you are assuming. Keep the packaging nearby and answer the questions you are asked.
Do not make the child vomit. Do not give them milk, water, or food to try to “neutralize” the product without medical advice. Do not waste time looking for a home remedy or an answer in social media comments.
What if the liquid gets on the skin or in the eyes?
For skin exposure, poison control centers recommend removing contaminated clothing and rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water for at least fifteen minutes. For eye exposure, they also recommend rinsing with lukewarm water for fifteen minutes while holding the eyelids open. Ask the poison control center for advice and follow its instructions, especially when a child is involved.
Do not try to neutralize the liquid with another product. Never apply an improvised remedy. Contact details for poison control centers and first-aid instructions are available on their official website.
Why keep the UFI code when it appears on the bottle?
L’UFI is a sixteen-character formulation identifier. L’European Chemicals Agency explains that it enables poison control centers to link a product to precise information about its composition. When it appears on the label, reading it out to the person you speak to can make identification easier.
It does not replace the product name or the description of the exposure. There is no need to delay a call if you cannot find it right away. See the ECHA's explanation of the UFI.
FAQ: situations that can cause confusion
Can an e-liquid without nicotine be left accessible?
No. Lack of nicotine does not turn the mixture into food or a product intended for children. Follow the same storage precautions and read the information specific to the bottle.
Is the child-resistant cap enough?
No. It does not replace inaccessible storage and should not be considered an absolute guarantee. Follow its instructions for use.
Should I wait for the child to develop symptoms?
No. If ingestion may have occurred, promptly contact a poison control center for advice. In a serious emergency, call 15 or 112.
Should I post a photo of the bottle to ask for advice?
In an emergency, contact the appropriate professionals rather than an online audience. You can provide them with the requested information without exposing the child's personal information.
What should you prepare for another adult who is looking after the children?
Specify which storage areas must remain closed and where to find useful contact details. Do not leave a hazardous product accessible just because an oral instruction was given.
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E-liquid label: understanding pictograms, warnings, and safety statements
E-liquid label: understanding pictograms, warnings, and safety statements