Home safety checklist

Stay safe – store your cleaning products securely

Here is a home safety checklist to help you create a safe environment for a person with dementia.

Cleaning Products

QuestionYesNo
Are all household cleaning products stored in a secure place?
Are cleaning products stored in their original container?
Are household cleaning products stored separately from food and drink?
Do you always read the label to find out how to use household products safely?
Do you always put the lids back on and store products away immediately after use?
Do you buy products in secure containers where possible?
Do you read the labels so that you know what to do if a household product is accidentally ingested or spilt on skin?

Medicines

QuestionYesNo
Are all medicines stored in a lockable cupboard?
Are medicines kept in their original containers?
Do you dispose of old medicines?
Do you know what to do if medicine is accidentally ingested?

Other Poisoning Risks

QuestionYesNo
Are gas appliances and heaters checked and serviced regularly?
Are electronic cigarettes kept out of reach?
Are button batteries kept out of reach?
Do you check plants to ensure that they are not poisonous or can irritate skin?
Are all garden and decorating products stored in a secure place?

Top tips:

  • Do store cleaning products out of reach and out of sight, ideally in a secure cupboard
  • Do store cleaning products separately from food and drink, and not in the kitchen
  • Do store cleaning products in their original containers and close the lid after use
  • Do purchase products that cannot be mistaken for food or drink
Contact the UKCPI on ukcpi@ukcpi.org or call 07843 199397.