23.04.2020, 21:45
COVID-19 and the Perils of Home Cleaning
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) has issued a safety reminder following an increase in calls to poison control centers from parents and carers of children harmed by cleaning products used to protect homes against COVID-19.
ACI President and CEO, Melissa Hockstad, says: “Remember to make sure you’re keeping cleaning products out of the reach of little hands.
“It only takes a second for an accidental poisoning to occur. That’s why proper product use and safe storage is so important.”
ACI’s Tips for Cleaning Safely
Don’t let little children have easy access to hand sanitizers, or use them on their own. Instead, squirt that dollop of sanitizer into your little one’s hands and make sure they are rubbing their hands together in front of you. This also helps you make sure your kids are using the product properly to get the full benefit.
Don’t mix cleaning products. Mixing two cleaning products together or making your own ‘on the fly’ can be a recipe for danger.
Dilute bleach properly. Bleach can be a terrific disinfectant. You only need to use a small amount to remove germs and viruses on surfaces. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions to dilute the bleach when disinfecting surfaces, typically a 1/3 of a cup of bleach per one gallon of water.
Don’t use surface care products on your skin. Cleaning and disinfecting products that are meant to be used on surfaces should never be used or sprayed on your skin. Please make sure you’re using the product for its intended use.
When you’re done cleaning, immediately store the product out of reach and out of sight of children. Parents and caregivers are balancing working from home while doing other chores around the house. As soon as you’re done cleaning or disinfecting, don’t leave the product on the counter. Make sure you immediately put away cleaning products in a safe place where young kids can’t reach or see.
Read the product label. The product label has a wealth of great information on it, especially on where and how to use the product safely and effectively. Go to the product or brand websites for more useful information.
Keep those Packets UP! We may be doing more laundry throughout the week. Always remember to store all detergent products – including liquid laundry packets – up and out of sight and out of reach of children. Don’t leave the packets sitting on your washing machine. For a free safety reminder cling to attach to your washing machine, visit ACI’s PacketsUp.com website.
Keep the Poison Control Center number handy. In case of any accidental product exposure, program the Poison Control Center number into your home and cell phones: 1.800.222.1222.
For other useful tips on cleaning safely around the home, visit cleaninginstitute.org.
