June is National Safety Month and each year the National Safety Council brings the public’s attention to reducing the risk of certain safety issues, such as slips and falls, distracted driving and prescription drug abuse. The Council also provides resources on what you can do to keep your family safe at home.
One of the leading safety problems at home is accidental poisoning from ingesting cleaning products, like ammonia, bleach and detergents. During this month of safety, take a few minutes to ensure your household cleaners are stored safely and used properly.
- Store cleaning products in locked cabinets, out of reach and sight of your child.
- When in use, keep cleaning products out of your child’s reach; never leave your child unattended around cleaning products.
- Put away cleaning products after every use.
- Put the poison control number (1-800-222-1222) on or near every home telephone, and save it in your cell phone. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Using Household Chemicals – Tips from the CDC
- Always read the label before using a product that may be poisonous.
- Keep chemical products in their original bottles or containers. Do not use food containers such as cups, bottles, or jars to store chemical products such as cleaning solutions or beauty products.
- Never mix household products together. For example, mixing bleach and ammonia can result in toxic gases.
- Wear protective clothing (gloves, long sleeves, long pants, socks, shoes) if you spray pesticides or other chemicals.
- Turn on the fan and open windows when using chemical products such as household cleaners.
Be the KEY to a Safe Laundry Room with the American Cleaning Institute
There are things you can do today - and everyday - to ensure that your laundry routine is as safe as possible. You can start right here by taking the KEY pledge to follow ACI's simple steps to a safe laundry room and routine:
Keep single-load liquid laundry packets out of the reach of children
Educate your family and friends about the safe use and storage of these new laundry products
You serve a key role in laundry safety
