What You Need to Know About Laundry Safety
Laundry is a routine task that many of us do on a daily basis. But when you have kids, those routine tasks can sometimes lead to danger. Here's what you need to know about laundry safety.
All cleaning products should be kept well out of the reach of children as they all have the potential to be poisonous if ingested. Laundry packs have posed a significant danger to young children over the last few years. Many children have become ill, and some have even died, as a result of ingesting laundry packs. Fortunately, the industry has created new standards in an effort to increase kids' safety around these products.According to the updated standards, laundry packs' packaging must:
- Display a warning label
- Be opaque
- Be child-resistant
And the packets must:
- Be difficult to bite into
- Taste bitter
To further ensure your child's safety you should:
- Always keep the packets enclosed in the manufacturer's container.
- Always properly dispose of used packets (consult the product packaging for instructions).
- Never reuse the product's packaging for any other storage purpose.
- If a child ingests laundry packs or any other poisonous substance, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (save this number to your phone and post it on your fridge).
It is also important to keep other laundry room supplies such as liquid detergent, powder detergent and pre-treaters tightly closed and on a high shelf. Spray bottles are of particular concern because kids may see them as toys to "shoot" each other with like water guns, potentially causing eye damage.Another common danger in the laundry room is the high risk of fire. According to FEMA, nearly 3,000 dryer fires were reported in the United States over the span of just two years. Many of these fires were likely the result of a clogged dryer vent. Here are some tips to help prevent a dryer fire:
- Clean out your dryer's lint trap before each use
- Have the vent pipe cleaned every year by a professional (or sooner if you notice clothes are not getting dried)
- Ensure the outer vent opening is not blocked by leaves or any other type of debris
- Never leave a dryer running when you go out
- Never plug a dryer or any other major appliance into an extension cord
Kids can usually begin to do laundry on their own around age 12, but be sure to observe closely until they get the hang of it. Kids as young as six can help by sorting dirty clothes piles and putting away clean clothes after you fold them.Bard & Didriksen Pediatrics cares about your kids' health and safety. We offer premier pediatric care in a clean, comfortable and professional office setting. Contact us to make an appointment by calling 618-692-1212.
