Home Safety Guide

Looking to create a beautiful and functional laundry space? Whether you have a dedicated laundry room, closet or shared laundry space, there are ways to create a safe space without skipping on style! Here are some tips to get you started:

• Keep laundry products in their original packaging and stored out of reach of young children to prevent accidental exposure 
• Use decorative baskets or bins to stash products for a polished look while reducing the visual appeal that might attract kids’ attention
• Add labels to baskets to easily identify each product
• If you want to integrate clear canisters and jars, reserve them for items like clothespins, wool dryer balls or microfiber towels
• Install safety locks on cabinets where possible. Magnetic baby-proof locks are great so that you don’t have to see any baby proofing utility on your cabinets 
• For more laundry safety tips, visit Packetsup.com

The space under the kitchen sink is one of the most common areas to store products like disinfectants and dishwashing detergent. This area is also easily accessible to young children. To create an organized and safe area, keep the following in mind: 

• Use caddies or under-sink drawers for easy organization that you can take from room to room
• Keep frequently used products, like dishwasher tabs, at the front for easy access, but keep them in their original containers 
• Group similar products together for a more organized and efficient cleaning routine
• Place hooks or adhesive organizers inside the cabinet door space to store items like cleaning gloves, rags and sponges
• Install safety locks on cabinets where possible. If you don’t have cabinet locks, store items up and out of children’s reach and sight

A spare closet can often be a catch-all for various household items. Consider using your closet as a great way to maximize space and keep your cleaning supplies out of sight. Before tackling this project, check out a few dos and don’ts to follow:

• Install shelves to maximize vertical space. Shelves are a great place to store backstock items
• Safely store cleaning products up and out of reach of children 
• Use an over-the-door shoe organizer to store cleaning tools like paper towels, dusters, cleaning gloves, etc.
• Utilize wall space by mounting brooms and mops on the wall to keep clutter off the floor and save space for larger, heavier items like vacuums
• Utilize decorative bins or baskets. Never decant or remove products from their original container as they can pose a safety risk for children and people with cognitive disabilities

Medication should never be accessible to children unless it is being administered by a parent or caregiver. With a well-organized cabinet or drawer, it’s easy to keep track of new or expired medication, so you can ensure your family is both safe and healthy. Here are some tips for creating a medicine cabinet or drawer that is both child-proof and organized:

• Install safety locks on the cabinets or drawers that are within reach of a child
• Every six months, go over your inventory and check the expiration dates on your medications
• Keep child safety lids on all bottles
• Organize medication per need so you don’t have to spend time searching. Create different categories, such as cold and flu medicine, 
  painkillers and wound care
• For a cohesive look and to categorize medicine, place products in plastic bins or stackable drawer organizers with labels
• Always put medications away between uses

Bringing a newborn home? Put creating a soothing and safe sleeping environment at the top of your list. Whether you have a dedicated nursery or are sharing a room with your newborn, make sure you have taken these precautions for safe and sound sleep: 

• Choose a firm mattress and fitted sheet for the crib. Before you put a baby down to sleep, ensure there is nothing in the crib with them
• Place babies on their backs for naps and at night 
• When putting together a crib, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions 
• Instead of using a blanket when your baby is sleeping, dress them in a wearable blanket, onesie or similar clothing