Essential laundry safety tips for families with young children

Laundry time again? With kids in the house, almost every day turns into laundry day. Those little clothes turn into a big pile pretty quickly! No worries — you'll get it done.

You'll find that tackling this task is easier with an efficient routine that helps keep you and your family safe as well as clean. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Tips for Safe Storage

• Be sure to keep all laundry and cleaning products out of your children's reach and sight.

• Keep products in their original container, with the label intact, in a locked cabinet.

• Make sure you always close the laundry container to avoid spills and unintended exposure.

• Put products away ASAP in their appropriate storage location after use. It is important to keep all laundry and cleaning products away from little ones.

Tips for Safe Use of Laundry Products

• When you're doing the laundry, make sure that you follow all recommended product instructions. Pay particular attention to all Caution, Warning, Danger, and Poison statements.

• If you spill or drop anything, clean it up right away.

• Pac detergents are made to dissolve in water, so you should always make sure your hands are dry when you are handling the packets.

• Wash your hands after doing laundry. And you'll need to wash any utensils or containers you use for measuring or dispensing products.

• Plan to do your laundry and other cleaning chores during your child's downtime (such as naptime), if possible. This can help ensure that your attention is not diverted while you're using laundry and cleaning products, and help avoid unintended exposure.

• Always have on hand the numbers of your pediatrician and of the Poison Control Center: 1.800.222.1222

Tips for Safe Disposal

• Read the label and carefully follow the recommended product disposal information.

• Don't use empty detergent containers to store any other materials. And never put food or anything edible in a detergent container.

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