A 74-YEAR-old man was taken to hospital after he accidentally gassed himself by pouring cleaning chemicals down the sink.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the flat, in Bransford Road, Worcester, at about 5pm on Monday, August 28.

Two fire crews, from Worcester, used breathing apparatus and a gas detector to check the property.

The firefighters washed away the cleaning chemicals with water and ventilated the flat.

Station Commander Stuart Crebbin, from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s community risk department, said: “With such a variety of household cleaners available you can never be sure of the effect of mixing them together. 

“Products which are safe to use alone can react if mixed with other cleaning products and create dangerous or toxic by-products including gasses. Always read the label and following instructions carefully.”

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a guidance document on handling cleaning chemicals which states: "Never add any other chemical to concentrates that contain bleach.

"This can cause a dangerous gas (chlorine) to be given off.

"Take special care using caustic soda (sodium hydroxide). This can erupt when mixed with water. Splashes in the eye can cause blindness."

The HSE also recommended that rooms should be ventilated when cleaning chemicals are used.

West Midlands Ambulance Service assessed the patient and took him to Worcestershire Royal Hospital as a precaution.