How to store and use cleaning products safely: child safety concerns

There is nothing more important than using cleaning products and techniques safely, especially when you have children at home. Fortunately there are easy ways to eliminate risk and ensure both a clean home and child safety. The importance of following a product’s safety guidelines is matched only by storing those products safely and with your children’s health in mind.

Child safety is easy enough to implement when you remember the theme of ‘out of sight, out of reach’. Sometimes, the products that make our lives simpler require different childproofing techniques, so check the label for safe storage advice every time you use it. For more on child safety around kids (and our furry animal children), visit Keep Caps from Kids.

Seven Ways to Improve Child Safety in Your Home

The following seven tactics will help childproof your cleaning supplies and improve home safety. They are easy and really straightforward, so make it your mission to integrate the ways that best suit you and your home.

• Keep all cleaning products and supplies out of sight. The less they have to notice, the better.

• Store all of these hidden supplies out of reach and in a locked space, whether that’s a cupboard or a box. A childproof safety latch is appropriate in some cases, but having supplies under lock and key can’t hurt. We all know how observant children are!

• Dispose of empty containers correctly and in closed containers, out of reach. Do not keep empty packaging for other usages. Even small amounts of leftover cleaning chemicals need to be handled correctly. Read the back of the bottle for guidance, then check the recycling facilities from your local council. Many offer free recycling of plastic and cardboard containers! Our complete recycling guide will tell you more about what can and can’t recycle.

• Look for child resistant lids on bottles and boxes to add another level of protection, but remember that this does not make them childproof. Remember, all cleaning products should be kept in a safe, locked place.

• Pay special attention to where laundry capsules are stored and where they are just before being added to the wash. Even though laundry capsules make life simpler for us, be sure to follow the specific instructions on the packaging of caps such as Persil Dual Action Capsules.

• Never leave a product and a child alone together – take one or the other with you if you are called away.

• Think of what products look like through a child’s eyes: Is that mouthwash or soda? Pine cleaner or apple juice? Bleach or milk? 

Taking proper precaution when using and storing your cleaning products will help you relax if you have young children at home. When you’re making sure the little ones are safe, don’t forget to protect yourself when you make use of these newly properly stored products! We want Mums and Dads to be safe too, so follow the directions on the label, wear the appropriate protection (who says yellow gloves aren’t stylish!), and ensure you have enough ventilation in your child-safe home.

This guide to storing cleaning products will give you more useful information.