Posted by Charlotte Salter, on November 11, 2026.
UKCPI, together with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), is encouraging families across Glasgow to take simple steps to ensure household cleaning products are used and stored safely as part of its Take Action Today, Put Them Away campaign.
Funded by the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI), the latest phase of the campaign launches in Glasgow on 11th November 2026. The initiative aims to help parents and carers reduce the risk of accidental poisoning and eye injuries among young children.
The campaign has already supported more than one million families in over 120 areas across the UK, helping households adopt safer storage and handling practices for cleaning and hygiene products.
As part of the campaign, thousands of practical dry-wipe safety planners will be distributed through health visitors and children’s services. The planners provide simple reminders to help families store cleaning products safely and reduce the likelihood of preventable accidents.
Jim Oram, RoSPA’s home safety policy officer, said: “Young children are naturally curious and often explore their surroundings without understanding potential dangers. That’s why children under five are particularly vulnerable to accidental poisoning and eye injuries involving household cleaning products.
“Our Take Action Today, Put Them Away planner gives families a simple, practical reminder to keep cleaning products out of reach, out of sight and, whenever possible, stored in a locked cupboard. Even child-resistant packaging should never be relied upon as the only safety measure.”
Charlotte Salter, from the industry’s trade body, 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.”
Laura McCleary at Early Years Scotland, said: “supporting families and keeping children safe go hand in hand. Through our everyday conversations with parents and carers, we have an important opportunity to share simple, practical advice that can make a real difference. By supporting the Take Action Today, Put Them Away campaign, we want to help families understand how everyday medicines and household products can pose a risk to young children. By raising awareness and sharing practical advice, we can help prevent accidental poisonings and keep young children safe.”
The Take Action Today, Put Them Away campaign advises parents and carers to:
• Store household cleaning products out of children’s reach, preferably in a locked cupboard
• Always keep chemicals in their original containers
• Never pierce or split laundry capsules or tablets
• Always close lids securely after use
• In the event of an incident, follow the advice on the product packaging 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
