In July, I wrote a piece for AOL Health on the dangers of household cleaning sprays: http://www.aolhealth.com/2010/08/02/injuries-involving-spray-bottles-on-the-rise/.
They’re on the rise among kids because lots of parents use household cleaning sprays and we forget to turn the nozzle to the off button, or even better, store the closed bottle in a locked cabinet out of a child’s reach. Maureen, a mom of two, reminds us how easily cleaning-spray accidents can happen. She writes:
“Today, I was busy dusting furniture when little Mack decided it was time for a diaper change. I put the dusting spray bottle down and brought him upstairs to take care of him. While I was out of sight, 2-year-old Evelyn took it upon herself to squirt the dusting solution into her mouth. Oh no!!”
Fortunately, Maureen’s dusting spray was a homemade concoction of vinegar, water, and olive oil she didn’t have to worry, or call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222). But plenty of other parents like me who use commerical cleaning solutions aren’t always so lucky, especially considering that many cleaning products are blue, orange, purple, or yellow in color and look like juice or sports drinks to toddlers and preschoolers.
Preventing an accident only takes a minute, but it’s important to do every time you use a household cleaning spray. That is, turn the nozzle to the off button and store the solution in a locked cabinet out of your child’s reach (instead of under the kitchen sink–that’s not safe, even if you have a child-safety latch on it because determined toddlers may be able to override it). Your best storage solution is a high cabinet with a child-safety latch. Also, keep cleaning solutions in the original container. For more info, check out my AOL piece. September is National Baby Safety Month. For more child safety tips in general, visit http://www.jpma.org/bsm/2010/.
