Keep Household Cleaners Out Of Sight And Reach

What do you use to clean your windows, floors and bathrooms? Chances are good you have a drawer, cabinet or closet full of various household chemicals, including cleaning liquids, powders and polishes.

We all clean our homes using various cleaning products without realizing how harmful household chemicals can be if not used and stored properly. These products can cause chemical burns, fires, poisonings and explosions.

Kids can be quick to pick up a bottle, open a lid or pop items into their mouths. Household chemical products are among the top products responsible for injuries and deaths in children under the age of five. Bad taste and odours often don’t keep them away from household chemical products and even a small amount can be harmful to a child.

That is why it is important to use, store, and dispose of household chemicals carefully. The best way to protect your family is to follow all product label instructions, keep the safety information, store in their original containers and keep all household chemical products locked away, where children cannot see or reach them.

If someone has been in contact with a household chemical product and you think they may have been harmed, call a poison control centre or your health provider right away. Have the product handy when you speak with someone or when you go for help.

To report an incident, contact the manufacturer or retailer. You are also encouraged to contact Health Canada.

More tips on poison prevention can be found online at Canada.ca.

newscanada.com