Monday, August 2, 2010

Household Cleaners Pose Threat


If you have youngsters, especially toddlers in your home, chances are you have your cleaning supplies locked up tight, away from busy little hands.  
Here at the bee hive we use mostly natural cleaners.  We love Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyers cleaning products, but at times we have less earth friendly cleaners in our home and apparently the danger can be in the nozzle.
A new study shows children are still at risk for injuries
from household cleaning products even though the numbers of childhood injuries have dropped by half over the past few decades.  
Researchers at the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio found in a national database analysis children injured by cleaning products remains high, especially from products used with spray nozzles.
The research shows a drop in injuries from child-resistant packaging mandated for the most dangerous products -- furniture polish, drain cleaners, and oven cleaners.
At the same time, injuries in young children from cleaners contained in spray bottles did not decline; spray bottles were the most common source of exposure at 40.1 percent. The most common injury: ingestion.
Reading this study can remind us to be very aware of where our cleaning products live, no matter the potency. Even natural cleaners can pose an injury risk.  Food for thought for any parent or caregiver.

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