(BPT) – Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays … at least for the 60% of Americans who claim they will be staying put this holiday season. While that may not seem different than the past year of working and learning from home, for many, the holiday break will bring a renewed opportunity to focus on family, create new traditions and re-establish critical household rules, specifically around safety.
This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, reports show an increase in calls to poison control centers for exposures to hygiene and cleaning products. With an ongoing health crisis creating a greater need to clean and disinfect, and the holidays creating more chaos in American households, the American Cleaning Institute reminds everyone that safe handling and storage practices are more important than ever.
Reclaim Home Safety with these Holiday Helpers
Hiding Gifts Out of Sight? The Same Goes for Cleaning Products and Liquid Laundry Packets
We all take time to hide gifts out of sight of our loved ones, and the same idea applies to keeping household cleaning items away from little ones. Items like cleaning products and liquid laundry packets should all be stored up high and out of sight to avoid accidents with curious kids. The best place to store these products is in their original packaging in an overhead cabinet secured with a child safety lock. If you don’t have a cabinet available, you can place the product in a larger bin and store it up high where those at risk won’t be able to see or access it. Visit packetsup.com to learn more about safe storage.
Deck Your Halls with Décor, not Detergent
When it comes to putting up your decorations this year, stick to holiday décor. While Pinterest-worthy laundry room photos may be tempting to display liquid laundry packets in clear containers, it sends a wrong and dangerous message to curious children. Liquid laundry packets packaging is engineered and designed with the function to deter children from accessing the product. Additionally, the labels have important safety information should an accident happen, so it’s important to treat the packaging as part of the product purchase and a critical investment.
From Store to Storage This Holiday and Beyond
Next time you head out to the store to stock up on groceries, batteries for new toys, cold medicine or liquid laundry packets, remember to put these household items up and out of sight and reach as soon as you get home. When shopping, have these items bagged separately so they are ready to be swiftly put away once arriving home.
Santa’s Helpers Need to Learn Safety Practices
Does a little one in your home need a few extra points to make it on to Santa’s ‘nice list’? Staying home for the holidays is the perfect opportunity to get older children involved in chores and teach them about safety practices around cleaning products and cleaners. Here are a few ways to safely get your kids involved in chores without them handling products like disinfectants or liquid laundry packets:
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- Teach them to sort and put away laundry after you’ve run the washer and dryer.
- Have them help clear the table and bring their dishes to the sink before you run the dishwasher.
- Before you disinfect a surface, allow them to wipe down with soap and water.
As we head into the holiday season, take the time to make proper cleaning product use and storage a habit. For more safe storage tips and educational activities to complete with your child, visit PacketsUp.com.
