ACI points to importance of supervision, storage to ensure safe use of household cleaning products

Statistics on Unintended Exposures Reiterate Critical Importance of Proper Use, Storing Products "Up and Away"

Research compiling statistics on injuries from misuse of household cleaning products reiterates a major message for parents: the most important information on the product label is the safety and usage information.

The American Cleaning Institute(SM) (ACI – formerly The Soap and Detergent Association) responded today to interpretations of data published by the journal Pediatrics, which reported that "early childhood injuries from household cleaning products dropped by almost half over the past two decades."

ACI, which represents cleaning product manufacturers, pointed to the importance of supervision and storage to ensuring safe and effective use of household cleaning products.

"Any injury that occurs from unintended exposures is always one too many," said Nancy Bock, ACI Vice President of Consumer Education. "When it comes to cleaning products, parents and caregivers truly have safety in their hands.  

"The most important information on the product label is the safety and usage information.  When you're finished using the product, store it up and away."

Manufacturers make product safety and safe usage their top priorities, Bock added.  

"ACI and our members devote considerable resources to education and information outreach to consumers on using and storing cleaning products safely and effectively."

Bock noted that numerous products have safety caps and other child-resistant packaging, but that adherence to the time-honored message on the product label will help reduce injuries from unintended uses: "Keep out of the reach of children."