Are you aware that this week is National Poison Prevention Week? In the U.S. alone, Poison Control Centers receive more than 1.4 million calls involving children each year!
It is very important to keep children away from potential household dangers. Try viewing your home from a child’s perspective by getting down on your hands and knees. This will allow you to see things at a child’s level that could be within their reach such as plugs, bags or purses on the floor, cabinets and medicine. This will give you an idea as to what needs to be secured ASAP. Children are so low to the ground it’s possible for them to grab everything in their line of sight (which you might not see walking around as an adult!), even cleaning products.
Like all household cleaning products, liquid laundry detergent packets must be kept up high and out of sight and reach of your children to help prevent accidents. The liquid in these pre-measured packets is harmful if put in the mouth, swallowed or gets in the eye. Contact Poison Control immediately if you think your child’s come into contact with them (800) 222-1222.
That is why ACI (American Cleaning Institute) is working to reach parents and caregivers with information on the proper use and storage of household cleaning products like liquid laundry packets.
ACI wants to encourage every consumer to get involved, spread the word, take action and prevent accidents with these products.
Here’s how:
- Never let children handle laundry packets
- Always store this product up and out of sight and reach of children
- Always store laundry packets in their original container or pouch
- Always keep product container securely closed
- Never puncture or pull packets apart
- Always read the label directions before use
Take the Pledge to learn more and to be the KEY to a safe laundry room and routine. You’ll also be automatically entered to win a $2,500 AMEX gift card for a laundry room makeover.
If a poisoning happens, act fast:
- Call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222. Do NOT wait for symptoms to appear! Call immediately; most problems can be managed over the phone with Poison Control guidance.
Other things to keep in mind when preparing your home for Poison Prevention Week:
- Use child-resistant closures on medicines and household products.
- Close caps tightly after each use.
- Store medicines and poisons high up, where children can’t see or reach them.
- Read the label carefully before giving medicine to children – each and every time.
- Call medicine by its correct name. Don’t call medicine candy.
- Beware of button batteries! Be sure new and used batteries are kept away from children. Tape over any battery compartments that aren’t secured with a screw.
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