“Home for the holidays” takes on a whole new meaning this year as 60% of Americans say they will remain homebound this holiday season because of COVID-19.
Home safety is a common topic around this time of year, as we ensure safety from fire around the Christmas tree and in the kitchen while cooking big family meals.
We all know accidents can happen in the blink of an eye with little ones in the home — not to mention if they’re quarantined full-time inside due to winter weather. I urge everyone to remember that health and safety go hand in hand. Before you start your holiday shopping and unpack all of the decorations, take a moment to pause, look around the house, and take the necessary steps to make your home safer.
One room that often goes overlooked for safety risks during the holiday season is the laundry room.
In a recent survey conducted for the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), more than 67% of parents with children younger than 4 said their laundry room is accessible to children. ACI’s Packets Up! safety campaign is dedicated to helping families prevent accidental exposures to cleaning supplies and keeping these items safely stored is the key to prevention.
Here are some safe habits and cleaning tips to help families instill safe habits at home.
STORAGE
Store all batteries, medicines, bleach, cleaning products and especially liquid laundry packets up high, out of reach and out of sight. The best place to store 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 it up high where those at risk won’t be able to see or access them.
Immediately move laundry packets and cleaning products to their safe storage place as soon as you bring them into your home. When purchasing laundry packets and other household cleaners, have them bagged separately. When you unload purchases, put away these potential poisons first — out of sight and out of reach — as soon as you get home and unpack your groceries.
Always keep laundry packets in their original container with labels intact. These containers are designed to deter child access and, in case of an emergency, have ingredient and poison control information displayed on the label.
TEACH SAFETY
Teach older kids safe cleaning habits by including them in household chores. Kids needs activities to occupy their time at home, and every parent needs help keeping the home clean. Never let children younger than 10 handle cleaning products.
• Have them clear clutter so you can disinfect all areas of the home.
• Teach them how to sort, load and unload laundry from the washer and dryer.
• Allow them to wipe down surfaces with soap and water before you disinfect.
• Emphasize that cleaning products are not toys and should never be handled.
As we head into the end of the year, take time to make proper cleaning product use and storage a habit.
BE PREPARED
Know what to do in the event of an unintended exposure. If you think someone has been accidentally exposed to laundry packets or other household products, call your local poison center at 800-222-1222 and seek immediate medical attention.
For more safe storage tips, visit PacketsUp.com.
Brian Sansoni is senior vice president of communication, outreach & membership at the American Cleaning Institute.
The Link LonkDecember 07, 2020 at 11:00PM
https://www.theoaklandpress.com/lifestyles/remember-and-practice-laundry-room-safety-during-the-holidays/article_7a07bc34-2cdd-11eb-a947-7f1f4818892a.html
Remember and practice laundry-room safety during the holidays - The Oakland Press
https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
No comments:
Post a Comment