- Keep laundry detergent, including cleaning pods out of reach and sight of children
- Lock washer and dryer doors
- Ensure washer/dryer machines are installed in safe locations
- Place a baby lock on the door
- Keep heavy items such as an iron and ironing board locked away
- Clean out lint traps
- Check machines before starting
Keep all cleaning products in a safe place
Cleaning products in the wrong hands can be dangerous. Detergent, stain removers, bleach, pre-treatment, fabric softeners, and home dry cleaning kits should be out of sight and out of reach from children. Storing all cleaning products on a high shelf and not on lower shelves is advised. Keep products in their original containers and replace child-resistant caps securely.1
"Storing all cleaning products on a high shelf and not on lower shelves is advised."
Lock washer and dryer doors when not in use
Washer and dryer machines, especially front open machines, can be a hazard for toddlers who love to climb and explore. Locking the machines when not in use may help avoid potential injuries.
Ensure washer and dryer machines are installed in safe locations
If there are gaps between or behind the machines, it can present potential hazards for small hands and bodies being wedged or stuck. Check the machines are also securely balanced and not on an uneven surface with no chance of moving.
Baby locks on cabinets and doors
ELocks on cabinets and on the laundry room door itself can be one of the best preventatives for safety in the laundry room. There are several types of child locks on the market including magnetic child locks, safety straps, and multi-purpose locks.2
Clean out lint traps and keep items off of washer and dryer
For general home safety reasons, keeping lint traps regularly cleaned is a good safety habit. Home fires can result from lint traps catching fire.
Do not put a child or a baby bouncer on top of the machine or allow them to stand or sit on one. Keeping heavy items off the top of a machine is also advisable. Machines can shake and vibrate causing items to fall.
The Laundry Room is not a playroom
Allowing children to play in a laundry room or storing toys in the room may encourage children to explore beyond safe areas. Irons and ironing boards, chemicals, and the large machines themselves are all potential hazards for small hands and bodies.
Check the washing machine and dryer before starting
Always check the machine before starting the washer or dryer. Children love to climb into small areas as well as cats and other small animals. Do not leave standing water in a sink or washing machine. It may be a potential drowning hazard for children.
Poison Control
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), more than 90% of reported unintentional poisonings occur within the home.3 The vast majority of these poisonings occurred in children aged 6 years and younger.4 Keep the poison control number in your phone or posted near the laundry room. The National Capital Poison Control Center can advise you if there has been an unintentional consumption of a poisonous product. The hotline number is 1-800-222-1222.4
Call 911 if the child has stopped breathing, collapsed, or has a seizure.
Resources
- National Capital Poison Center, https://www.poison.org/articles/laundry-products, Accessed 2024.
- Baby gear lab https://www.babygearlab.com/topics/nursery-furniture/best-cabinet-locks, Accessed 2024.
- Poison Control Center https://www.poison.org/poison-statistics-national, Accessed 2024.
Categories: Home Safety/Childproofing / Infant/Toddler Safety/ Safety Tips