Single-Load Liquid Laundry Packets Can Cause Serious Harm to Young Children

In observance of National Poison Prevention Week, prevent and protect children from injury

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Mar 20, 2014, 11:48 ET

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In observance of National Poison Prevention Week, the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) is working to share messages about laundry safety with parents and caregivers in a new :60 second animated video. This new video could prevent a serious accident as it contains important safety messages about how to safely use single-load liquid laundry packets.

http://www.cleaninginstitute.org/clean_living/video_laundry_packet_hazards.aspx

Laundry Packet Hazards. Are your children safe? Click the link below to watch this important 60-second laundry safety video. (PRNewsFoto/American Cleaning Institute) (PRNewsFoto/AMERICAN CLEANING INSTITUTE)

In observance of National Poison Prevention Week, this week and always ensure that laundry packets are stored out of reach and sight and kept in their original container/pouch. (PRNewsFoto/American Cleaning Institute) (PRNewsFoto/AMERICAN CLEANING INSTITUTE)

Be the KEY to a safe laundry room and routine! (PRNewsFoto/American Cleaning Institute) (PRNewsFoto/AMERICAN CLEANING INSTITUTE)

Most parents may not realize that laundry packets can cause serious harm and injury including accidental ingestion and eye exposure if not properly stored. National Poison Prevention Week is an ideal time to remind parents and caregivers to take the necessary precautions to ensure children are protected from serious injury.

In 2013 there were over 10,000 laundry packet exposures* in children five and younger. It is vital to store laundry packets out of reach and sight, and to keep them in their original container or pouch.

"Children act fast and so do accidents," said Nancy Bock, ACI Senior Vice President of Education. "Laundry packet accidents can be prevented. We hope this new video will be seen and heard as a reminder to store laundry packets out of reach and sight of curious little ones at all times."

To avoid accidents, always remember laundry packets and their containers are not edible and should never be handled by young children. Each single-load liquid laundry packet contains highly concentrated detergent and can cause serious harm if children gain access.

To prevent laundry packet accidents, ACI's new educational video offers the following safety tips:

Always store laundry packets and their containers out of reach and sight
Keep laundry packet containers closed and in a dry place when not in use
Do not let children handle laundry packets
Do not puncture or pull packets apart

In observance of National Poison Prevention Week, to prevent laundry packet accidents and ensure loved ones are safe, watch and share the important laundry safety video at keypledge.com.

*As reported by the American Association of Poison Control Centers

About the American Cleaning Institute

The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI – formerly The Soap and Detergent Association) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. ACI members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers. ACI (www.cleaninginstitute.org) and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

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SOURCE American Cleaning Institute