Virginia Poison Control shares how to prevent common cleaning hazards

Ahhhh, spring cleaning – a time to de-clutter and freshen things up. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when our Virginia Poison Center gets a lot of calls about kids ingesting or being exposed to chemicals from cleaners and disinfectants.

“Young children are at high risk for poisonings from cleaning products. It makes sense because the adults are busy trying to get the chores done. It only takes a second for Mom, Dad or Grandma to look away and a curious little one to get into something they shouldn’t,” said Fiorella Carhuaz, education specialist at the Virginia Poison Center. “Because kids’ bodies are small and their metabolisms are fast, even a small amount can have dangerous consequences.”

The risk doesn’t stop with swallowing. Cleaners and disinfectants can get into the eyes, nose or throat, or in some cases even on the skin, and cause problems too.

What can be done to help keep kids safe during hectic spring cleaning, and throughout the year? Fiorella has some answers.

What are the most common cleaning hazards for kids?

During the pandemic, hand sanitizer has been a big one. To be effective at killing germs hand sanitizers must contain alcohol, which can be especially toxic for kids. Many hand sanitizers are even sold in packaging geared toward children, with bright colors and fun characters that may resemble the packaging of their favorite snacks. Despite the appeal, these products should ONLY be used with adult supervision.

Bleach and laundry detergent are also common reasons people call Poison Control. We get quite a few calls about laundry pods in particular. Any cleaning product, from toilet cleaner to dusting spray, can be hazardous though.

What should adults keep in mind when dealing with cleaning chemicals?

• First and foremost, focus on proper storage. Cleaning chemicals should be stored up, away, out of sight and locked – the same as medications. If you don’t have your eyes on the product or have the bottle in your hand, it should be out of reach and out of sight.
• Make sure not to mix cleaning products. The interaction of certain ingredients can have serious consequences. For instance, the combination of bleach (which is common in many products) and ammonia (which is often used in glass cleaner) can expose the family to toxic fumes.
• We also recommend keeping all cleaners and chemicals in their original containers. This is important for a couple reasons. First, it helps to prevent a mix-up or misunderstanding. Imagine pouring a cleaning solution into an empty apple juice bottle. Just one sip by a child or distracted adult could cause big problems. Second, packaging contains information about ingredients, cautions and directions for proper use that should be read before using. If you do need to call Poison Control, you’ll want to have this information readily available as well.
• Always read labels before use and follow directions closely.

Are there safe ways children can help with cleaning?

Young children imitate behavior and often want to help out with chores, which is great! It's best to leave the cleaning to the adults in the home, but there are ways kids can pitch in.

Here are few safer, but still helpful, responsibilities:

• Organizing toys
• Folding or putting away clothes
• Dusting (without dusting spray), if they don’t have allergies or breathing difficulties
• Making the bed
• Sweeping
• Vacuuming

As kids mature, they can have increased responsibility around the home. If you’re going to involve older children in cleanings tasks, rely on their abilities rather than their age when determining what’s appropriate. Their pediatrician can help if you’re unsure.

What if there is an accident?

Accidents can happen to anyone.

That’s why the Poison Center provides fast, FREE, confidential help 24/7. 

Save the Poison Center number (1-800-222-1222) in your phone and call right away if an accident occurs! It’s a good idea to post it on the refrigerator for easy reference too.

Don’t wait for your child to look or act sick before calling – the quicker a medical professional can provide guidance, the better.  

Look for more information and tips from the Virginia Poison Center.

If you’re looking for some organization inspiration this spring, check out The Container Store that just opened in Richmond and is donating a portion of its in-store and curbside pickup proceeds to CHoR between March 22 and April 18, 2021.