Did you know that many household cleaners, in fact most cleaning agents, are potentially harmful? This is despite the fact that modern day household cleaners tend to have pleasant smells and are easy to handle.
The accidental poisoning statistics however, are rather concerning – especially if we consider that it’s the bleaches, detergents and cleaning agents are mostly to blame. It’s best then to get to know your cleaning agents and what to do in case of accidental ingestion or intoxication:
Acutely dangerous
The household cleaning chemicals bearing the greatest risks for your family are the acute chemicals such as corrosive drain flushers and acidic cleaners.Corrosive chemicals can lead to external and internal chemical burns and an emergency room should be consulted immediately.
Highly toxic
On the highly toxic list of household cleaners are all bleaches and chemical agents containing chlorine or ammonia. These substances can cause high levels of irritation to skin, eyes, mouth and other sensitive areas. Another highly toxic chemical is found in glass cleaners and stain removals – known as 2-BE. Luckily, regulations are in place and in the case of 2-BE, a concentration of merely 6% is permitted by law.
Child and pet safety
We adults will hardly expose ourselves unnecessarily to cleaning agents, but our children and pets often aren’t aware. The best advice to keep your home chemical safe is to ensure that all cleaning agents and other chemical substances are, of course, stored out of the reach of young children or pets.Find a cupboard well above your child’s height and be sure to stack away all chemicals and cleaning agents immediately after use.
Intoxication is surely a scary thought, but if you’re vigilant about the type of cleaning agents you buy, and where you store these, your family should stay safe.You can also remain rest assured that all cleaning agents in the United States are under strict environmental and health safety control.
If you’re looking for professional help with household cleaning then why not call on us here at Budget Maids? We offer home cleaning services in Reston, maid services in Rockville and cleaning services in Potomac and other areas of VA and Maryland.
