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An ounce of prevention keeps disaster away
National Poison Prevention Week, the third week in March each year, is a week nationally designated to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. However, when there are small children in the household, poison prevention should be a concern every day of the year. Here are some tips for keeping your home safe:
- Install child-proof locks on cabinets that house cleaning supplies. Never assume a cabinet is too high for a curious, climbing toddler.
- Keep all household products in their original packages. Packaging includes useful first aid information in the event of accidental exposure or ingestion.
- Read and follow the product-label directions.
- Don't leave cleaning buckets unattended. Even those with a small amount of liquid pose a danger to "top heavy" toddlers. If the child falls into a bucket, it may not tip over and he or she could drown.
- Schedule cleaning during "down times" such as nap time or when children are in school, or on a play date.
- Take out only the amount of cleaning product needed for the job at hand. Store the rest away securely so there's no chance that small explorers will get their hands on it.
- Immediately clean up any spillage.
- Avoid distractions or interruptions when children are present during cleaning. If you answer the door, take the child with you. If the phone rings, let the answering machine do its job.
- Post the Poison Control Center phone number (1-800-222-1222) by every land phone in your home and save it on your cell phone.
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Cleaning Matters is compiled by The Soap and Detergent Association and is not copyrighted. Such information is offered solely to aid the reader. The Soap and Detergent Association and its member companies do not make any guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to the information contained in Cleaning Matters and assume no responsibility for the use of this information. |
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