Posted by Charlotte Salter, on January 24, 2024.
Families in Somerset are being urged to take action to use and store household cleaning products safely, by the Royal Society for the Prevention Accidents (RoSPA) and the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI).
The latest phase of the Take Action Today, Put Them Away campaign is being launched on Wednesday 24th January 2024. 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 are 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.”
Joanne Gill, Operational Service Manager Public Health Nursing said “The Health visiting team in Somerset are really excited to be part of this campaign. We know from feedback families appreciate the opportunity to talk to us about home safety and having the notepad to keep at home as a reminder is a great idea”.
Today’s launch follows the scheme’s success in 42 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 Somerset, accidental poisonings accounted for 160 emergency admissions for 0 – 4-year-olds between 2018/19- 2020/21.
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
