Update: This article was written during the pandemic, but we find that the tips are useful at all times.
COVID-19 has dramatically altered the daily routines of families across the nation. Households are feeling more crowded, while parents and caregivers are challenged with keeping hands, surfaces, and clothing items clean and disinfected. Now is the time to be aware of safe storage and use of cleaning products around kids.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many homes stocked up on cleaning products, creating a potential hazard for young children. It’s easy to leave products designed for regular use, such as hand sanitizer, out on the counter, and to neglect safety measures.
[ Related: Poison centers both in Washington and around the nation have reported a recent spike in calls for help. ]
I urge everyone in the Seattle area to pause, look around the house, and take the necessary steps to make your home safer. As a Physician Assistant (PA), I know how fast accidents can happen with little ones in the home, especially if they’re home more than usual.
Accidents can occur throughout the house, from the medicine cabinet to the kitchen and even in the laundry room. For that reason, this is a great time to remind everyone how to safely use and store cleaning products around kids.
As an example, a recent survey conducted by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) revealed more than 67 percent of parents with children under age four said their laundry room is accessible to children. Although the laundry room is an essential part of household routines, it can often go overlooked when child-proofing the home. ACI’s Packets Up! child safety campaign is dedicated to helping families prevent accidental exposures to cleaning supplies, including liquid laundry packets – and keeping these items safely stored is the key to prevention.
Safe Storage and Use of Cleaning Products Around Kids
Take note of these safe habits and cleaning tips to help families prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses:
• Continue to clean with guidance from CDC and your health-care provider. The CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs and cabinet handled to decrease the spread of bacteria or viruses and prevent family members from getting sick. As long as parents and caregivers are vigilant about immediately putting cleaning supplies up and out of reach of those at risk for exposure after use, everyone in the household can stay safe and healthy. If you are concerned about the chemicals in cleaning supplies, visit PacketsUp.com to gain a better understanding of cleaning products, and EPA.gov for a list of ingredients in cleaning supplies and directions for chemical safety.
• After shopping, immediately move laundry packets and cleaning products to their safe storage place upon arrival in your home. When purchasing laundry packets and other household cleaners, have them bagged separately and then put them away – up high and out of sight and reach – as soon as you get home.
• Store all batteries, medicines, cleaning products, and liquid laundry packets up high, out of reach and out of sight. From the garage to the laundry room, the best place to store medicines or liquid laundry packets is in an overhead cabinet secured with a child safety lock. If you don’t have a cabinet available, place the products – in their original packaging – into a larger bin with other laundry and household products, and put the bin up high where those at risk won’t be able to see or access it.
• Always keep cleaning products in their original container with labels intact. These containers are designed to be child-resistant and, in case of an emergency, have ingredients and poison control information clearly displayed on the label. To keep your home safe, make sure you are prepared in the event of an unintended exposure.
For more safe storage tips, visit PacketsUp.com or the Poison Helpline. If you think someone has been accidentally exposed to laundry packets or other household products, call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222 and seek medical attention immediately.
Pam Wireman is a physician assistant practicing in Snohomish, Wash. The American Cleaning Institute is an industry group that serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI is committed to improving lives through scientific research and education-based results.
Related:
How to get your kids involved in cleaning and tidying at home
Your kids still need vaccines, even amid the coronavirus crisis
