The holiday season brings its own level of craziness – more “stuff” in the house with holiday decorations, more people underfoot with the kids out of school on holiday break, and more “To Dos” (which means less time to focus on what’s going on around us!). Add in travel to friends’ or relatives’ houses to the mix, and it becomes even crazier. This all adds up to TONS of distractions. Because of that, we wanted to take a second to remind you of a specific safety lesson that we all know but could probably use a reminder on: laundry room safety.
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) is working on an educational initiative called PACKETS UP to help reduce the number of accidental liquid laundry packet exposures in children (Tide Pods™ are examples of liquid laundry packets). They’re working with parents and caregivers to create awareness about the safety risks in a seemingly “safe” laundry room. Here’s what they suggest:
– Make safety your #1 concern this holiday season – whether you’re traveling with toddlers or hosting friends and family.
– Keep Pinterest out of laundry room: It’s great to get creative to spruce up your laundry room, but not when it comes to liquid laundry packets. Household cleaning products and laundry packets should be stored in their original containers or pouches and out of reach of children.
– Don’t let children play with liquid laundry packets.
– Don’t let children touch liquid laundry packets – even if they are helping you with the laundry.
– Keep front-load doors closed and locked at all times.
– Don’t assume that just because you’re in the laundry room with your child that you can leave packets within their reach. Distractions happen.
– Poison Control information is on the back of every cleaning package. It might also be a good idea to tape it to the inside of a laundry cabinet.
– If an accident does occur, call the Poison Control line at (800) 222-1222.
Here’s a great video from the ACI that will help you understand how to keep toddlers safe by seeing the world from their perspective:
Check out PACKETSUP.com and join the conversation using #PACKETSUP on Facebook and Twitter. Follow the American Cleaning Institute on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to speed on the latest in laundry room safety habits. Stay safe this holiday season, Smarties!
