One of the first things I discovered when I became a parent is that kids are curious about everything. Toys, cat food, my nose, and things that I thought I’d put safely away but hadn’t, like laundry detergent.

I thought it might be useful if I shared a few very quick and simple tips that I’ve used to keep regular household products safely out of a child’s reach. Sadly, my nose continues to get nibbled to this day. Hopefully, she’ll grow out of that.

Close the Lid

This one couldn’t be simpler. Close the lid until you hear the ‘click’. That’s the child-safety lock and is your first line of defense against wandering little hands.

Store Cleaning Products Out of Sight

If they can’t see it, they won’t want it. Put all your cleaning products, liquid laundry pacs, soapy sponges, and all medicines where they can’t see it. In a locked/sealable plastic container on top of the fridge or a high cupboard is perfect.

Clearly Label Everything

Once the kids start to understand what you’re telling them, mark everything with a frowny-face if they should stay away. Also, don’t transfer products into another product’s packaging. For example, if you buy a larger bottle of household cleaner, don’t transfer it to an old soda bottle for ‘easy use’.

Tidy Up

Keep your place clean and put things away where they’re meant to go. I know, I know, “try keeping your place clean with a child running around”. I hear you, which is why I’ve found having big boxes or ‘zones’ where I can put everything way easier!

Group by Task

Place your Tide laundry pacs with any other laundry products like dryer sheets in a high-up cupboard near the machines so that they’re up, away, and closed.

Put the kitchen cleaning things in a separate box or crate safely tucked away so that you don’t have to rummage. It’s also much easier to know when you’re running out before it’s too late and your in-laws are on the way.

Distract and Keep Busy

The little ones will have no reason to go in the cupboards when there’s something much more fun nearby. Place safe toys, adhesive chalkboards or whiteboards at their eye level and let them create & scribble.

Let’s Play Tidy Home | Safe Home Bingo – How many of these do you do?

Disclaimer: This guide was made possible by the good people at P&G. Through its Safety program, P&G has been a leader in helping parents keep their children safe through laundry room safety education and is focused on responsible handling and storage of the single laundry packets Tide PODS®. The packets’ concentrated, multi-chamber form is uniquely designed to offer a convenient, yet more powerful clean. Much like many other household cleaning products, laundry packets need to be handled
with great care to prevent unintended exposure.