(Remember to watch video at the end)

It’s not uncommon for me to come in for my usual 8-hour Emergency Room shift and one of my patients is a child who accidentally got into cleaning products. Unfortunately, as an ER pediatrician, I have reported a few of these to poison control myself, so I cannot stress enough the importance of preventing these accidents.

With recent home organization trends often seen on social media, some families choose to store laundry and cleaning products in glass jars or clear containers. While this may look nice and improve home aesthetics, it can increase the risk of accidental exposures among our kids.

Like my daughter, all children are curious and exploratory by nature, so they can easily get into things at home if not stored properly. Accidents can happen so fast. However, most accidents can be prevented if we know the right things to do.

Recent survey data from The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) has shown the need for continued safety education awareness when it comes to using and storing liquid laundry packets and other household cleaners. The survey reported that 30% have seen social media posts where cleaning products or liquid laundry packets were stored outside of their original packaging (e.g., in clear or glass jars). Of those who did see such examples, 31% admit they’ve tried such a storage idea.

Since 2013, ACI has worked closely with industry manufacturers to equip parents and caregivers with information on the proper usage, storage and handling of liquid laundry packets. ACI also created PACKETS UP!, an educational initiative for parents and caregivers to help reduce the number of accidental liquid laundry packet exposures in children.

In collaboration with this campaign, as an ER pediatrician and mom, I highly recommend that we keep every child safe by playing our parts as parents.

Here are a few ways to help keep your family especially kids safe:

1. Store laundry and cleaning products in their ORIGINAL packages
2. Securely close each product after each use.
3. Store these products UP and AWAY in high cabinets, if possible, cabinets that can be locked
4. Kids love to join in the fun, so allow them help with laundry or cleaning. However, avoid allowing them to handle laundry or cleaning products. They can take part in folding clothes or putting away
5. If your child accidentally gets in contact with (or exposed to) any products; rinse the area immediately and call poison control for more definite instructions.

After all, its #storenotdecor. So, let’s keep #packetsup

Check for more information on  at packetsup.com.