Posted by Charlotte Salter, on April 15, 2024.
Families in Lincolnshire are being urged by UKCPI and the Royal Society for the Prevention Accidents (RoSPA) to take action to use and store household cleaning products safely.
The latest phase of the Take Action Today, Put Them Away campaign, funded by the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI), is being launched on 15th April 13.00-16.30 Lincoln Golf Centre Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln LN6 9BW.
This follows the scheme’s success in over 40 areas of the UK including Birmingham, Liverpool, King’s Lynn, Nottingham, Newcastle, Bradford and Northern Ireland where over 700,000 families have been helped to prevent poisoning and eye injuries.
In Lincolnshire, accidental poisonings accounted for 165 emergency admissions for 0 – 4-year-olds between 2018/19- 2020/21.
As part of the campaign, a handy magnetic notepad featuring key safety advice will be handed out to thousands of families by health visitors and children’s centre staff.
Jim Oram, RoSPA’s public health project officer, said: “The notepad acts as a constant reminder in family kitchens to store cleaning products out of reach, out of sight and in a locked cupboard.
“Due to their inquisitive nature, children under the age of five are most at risk of accidentally swallowing or getting household cleaning products, like liquid laundry capsules, into their eyes. Even products with a child-resistant closure cannot guarantee safety – they only reduce the risk by delaying access to the product.”
Philip Malpass, from the industry’s trade body, the UKCPI, said: “Cleaning products are designed to be safe to use and to provide the clean and hygienic home we often take for granted today. The accidents we see involving young children and cleaning products are avoidable and whilst the severity of the injuries is generally low, we hope that this campaign will remind parents to follow the usage instructions on the packaging, and in so doing, avoid unnecessary accidents.”
Cllr Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “Young children can be very inquisitive, and it’s not uncommon for them to swallow cleaning products or get them in their eyes. In fact, between 2018/19 to 2020/21, accidental poisonings accounted for 165 emergency admissions for 0-4-year-old in Lincolnshire.
“While such incidents don’t often lead to severe injuries, it can still be a very stressful and upsetting experience for both the child and their parents. The magnetic notepads will serve as a useful reminder of the simple steps families can take to reduce risk and avoid unwanted accidents.”
Take action today, put them away advice to parents includes:
• Store household cleaning products out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard
• Always store chemicals in their original containers
• Never pierce or break laundry capsules or tablets
• Always close the lid of any product
• In the event of an incident, follow advice on the product pack and seek medical attention.
About UKCPI
UKCPI is the leading trade association representing UK producers of cleaning and hygiene products from household soaps, washing powders, liquids, disinfectants, air care and polishes to the professional cleaning and hygiene products used in industrial and institutional applications.
It provides advice and guidance to manufacturers, distributors and users of cleaning and hygiene products. UKCPI also works in partnership with policymakers, the public and the media, to inform public discussions about cleanliness, hygiene and sustainable cleaning.
Further information on the Take Action Today campaign can be found at: https://www.ukcpi.org/take-action-today/
For more details about the UKCPI, visit: www.ukcpi.org
