text: In general, most ingestions in children involve exploratory ingestions of small amounts of caustic substances, with the rare exception being cases of child abuse where larger amounts are often ingested. Caustic ingestions in adults usually involve larger amounts of ingested material during attempts of self harm. Due to the greater amount of material usually ingested; injuries are often more severe in the intentional ingestions of adolescents and adults as compared to those of children. Commonly ingested substances include ammonium hydroxide (found in general cleaner and grease remover), sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide (found in drain opener or oven cleaner), sodium hypochlorite (bleach), oxalic acid (metal polish) and hydrochloric acid (toilet bowl cleaner). Storage of caustic substances in water or drink containers is a risk factor for accidental ingestion of these materials, particularly in children. Boys of preschool age are at the greatest risk of accidental caustic ingestion.