In honor of National Safety Month, we’re back with a little PSA. One that you might remember we’ve discussed before, with our friends from ACI and the packets up campaign. As parents it’s something we’re super passionate about, and though it may be a tough topic to discuss, we believe it’s one of the most important. We consider our job well done if we can inform one person, so that they have a safer, healthier environment for their growing children and family. It’s time to call attention to keeping our families safe, and all things laundry packet safety.
Laundry packet safety
Sure, maybe we’re feeling like we’re a little past this information, but it’s something we should all talk about and evaluate in our homes. Accidents can happen out of nowhere. Life can change in an instant. Right in your own home. A great way to avoid this is to reevaluate your own personal situation, and stay proactive for your family. Are we taking care of the cleaning products in our home and ensuring they’re out of reach of our children?
Laundry packet safety – Why?
ACI is passionate about helping families think through safety in the laundry area with an understanding about the proper use, storage and handling of laundry packets. If you have a little one of your own or even have a guest visiting your home that may have little ones, the issue of laundry packet safety is something you need to think through.
Our kids are a little past the stage where we have to think about such things, but we still keep our packets high and out of reach. Our home is a swinging door all summer long with guests galore, and while we’re super diligent with the pool safety issue, it’s also important to think about the little hidden dangers we may take for granted with older children. Bringing it to the forefront often, is a great way to stay proactive with our own lives, and anyone around us. It’s important to have an ongoing discussion.
The guiding principle behind ACI’s education is that accidents stemming from a liquid laundry packet can be prevented by treating packets with the same care and discipline as common household cleaning products.
It’s really that simple.
Laundry packet safety – How?
I often hear people ask “how could a kid get into a laundry packet?” And I quickly remind them that if they’re asking that question, they clearly don’t remember being a child. We’ve also {unfortunately} been humbled on more than one occasion as parents, and the situations our children found themselves in, in the blink of an eye. Children are curious and they love to explore the world around them. That’s how they learn so much of their information.
I learned riding my bike without shoes was a really bad idea when I scraped my toes up so badly, it hurt to walk.
I learned jumping off the swing at it’s highest point was a little painful, too.
There are so many things I learned by doing, but children should never be given the chance to learn about household cleaning products by doing.
It’s impossible to remove all the bikes from the world, or put air mattresses under all the swings, but it’s completely possible to put up and safeguard our laundry packets.
Laundry packet safety – Our responsibility
Children come with a lot of responsibility and while we want them to explore their surroundings, we also need to be aware of their surroundings.
Which is why we cannot leave them to discover on their own, but must safeguard their environment as we guide them through it until they can respect and understand their surroundings.
It’s kind of like going to the beach. We often take a small child into our arms as we let them experience the waves.
The ocean is amazing, but it needs proper respect, care, and attention. So it’s a guardian’s responsibility to protect and educate the child.
The same is true for our home environment, and the laundry packets we use on a daily basis.
Laundry packet safety – Accidents?
As we all know accidents happen in an instant. The blink of an eye. Before we even know what has happened, take the garden stool from hell for example. Ever since our own little mishap, we’re pretty leery of the potential danger lurking in our homes.
So we need to be prepared in case one does happen.
We have fire drills in our home, rehearsing the process, right down to our family’s meeting spot. {Our kids are pros at the ninja crawl, and that’s usually because we’re in our pajamas and aren’t sure who’s at the door.} The stranger danger {and even tricky people} drills come in handy in more ways than one. Our point? It’s important to discuss it as a family.
Laundry packet safety – Action?
So what can you do to educate yourself, plan and take action?
You’ve already educated yourself because you’ve heard it said that we need to have a safety plan in place for laundry packets. Well done! Step one down. It’s good to be aware of the danger.
Now you need a plan. How will you deal with the laundry packets in your home, in a proactive way?
ACI makes some simple suggestions.
First, properly store and secure the laundry packets.
The easiest thing is to keep them in their original packaging and always close it tightly once you’ve removed the laundry packet you need. Place it on a high shelf away from a child’s reach. And ideally, out of view, too. Removing the temptation and reason for curiosity, is always a great idea.
Laundry packet safety – be aware
Parenting and caring for your children can be a breeze in the home, when you’re proactive, and aware of your surroundings. This is just one of those posts that we feel so passionately about, and we’re more than happy to spread the message.
We hope you’ll do the same with all of your friends and family.
As always, we’d love to hear from you and how you’re taking action to keep those little ones safe.
To learn more about PACKETS UP! and request a free laundry room cling for anyone in your life, please visit Packets up.
:: This post was brought to you in partnership with American Cleaning Institute. All opinions are 100% ours. Please read our full disclosure pertaining to partnerships here ::
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