Spray Cleaners Safe? Better Check Again!

Listen to this: Nearly 12,000 children under age 5 go to the emergency room each year because of injuries caused by household cleaning products, according to a study in today's Pediatrics. About 40% of those injuries - or nearly 4,800 cases - are caused by spray bottles, which typically don't have child-resistant caps.

The problem here isn't necessarily having spray bottles around your house, because we have several. It is what is inside those spray bottles. Spray cleaners you buy at the store can contain a range of hazardous chemicals, from ammonia to bleach. More than 740 of all small children injured by cleaning supplies in 2006 had symptoms that were life-threatening or caused long-term disabilities, the study says.

I don't know about you, but I have seen my son spray our cleaners on his body. Granted, I am not worried, because the Shaklee Get Clean cleaners we use are completely safe for his little body. They are actually even the same ph as our skin, so I have no worries, thankfully. That is why I feel safe letting him clean with me, which he LOVES to do! :-) I don't have to be afraid of poisoning, breathing in toxic fumes, having them absorb into his skin and doing damage to his little body. It is something I am very thankful for!

But for other dangerous cleaners, it is something for parents to be concerned about. Think about it from a child's perspective. They have bright packaging, with fruity or flowery scents and bright colors, and those spray handles make them feel and look like squirt guns. We all know how curious our children can be!

Let me leave you with this story to think about. (This is not to be a scare tactic, but it is just a story to help prevent this from happening to someone else)

Tamara Ensign says it took only a few moments for her 1 1/2 yr old son, Keegan, to get into some dish soap while the two were outside "playing carwash" with his toys.

When her back was turned, "He let out a wail that I had never heard from him before," says Ensign. "Whenever he cried and tried to talk, his voice was raspy and he let bubbles out."

Ensign got no answer from the emergency number listed on the soap bottle but did reach a poison control center. She decided to take Keegan to an urgent-care clinic, and I am happy to say that he had no lasting problems related to this scare.

It sure makes you think, though, doesn't it? What kind of dangerous cleaners are in your house that could be found and played with by children? Let's say NO to dangerous chemical cleaners and yes to safer, gentle nontoxic cleaners!!