Keeping kids safe around cleaning products - Children's National

With spring cleaning underway, the American Cleaning Institute and Safe Kids Worldwide have teamed up to remind parents and caregivers to be especially attentive about keeping cleaning products out of the reach and sight of children.

Here are three tips to help parents keep kids safe around liquid laundry packets and other cleaning products:

• Store household products out of children's reach and sight. Young kids are often eye-level with items on counters and under kitchen and bathroom sinks, so keep cleaning supplies, laundry packets, hand sanitizers and personal care products where children can't reach them.
• Keep cleaning products in their original containers and read product labels. Use and store products according to the product label. Kids can get into things quickly, so remember not to leave cleaning products or personal care products unattended while you are using them.
• Save the Poison Help number in your phone and post it visibly at home: 1-800-222-1222. Specialists at poison control centers provide free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day. They can answer questions and help with poison emergencies.

Once you are done using cleaning products, make sure you carefully dispose of empty cleaning containers. To protect children, pets and garbage handlers, replace caps first, then discard in a sealed recycling bin or garbage container.

Happy Cleaning!

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