Liquid laundry packets, since their 2012 debut to the United States, have become increasingly popular among consumers for their easy-to-use, premeasured doses that weigh less than liquid detergents.

While there has been improvement in how parents are storing household cleaning products, exposure to liquid laundry packets among young children remains an issue. These highly concentrated packets can cause serious harm if they are accidentally ingested or come into contact with eyes.

The American Cleaning Association recently conducted a national survey among 1,000 parents and caregivers, half with children under the age of 4, which gathered insights about current laundry safety habits among parents with young children.

Forty-three percent of families with children under the age of four reported that children can see liquid laundry packets when not in use. Always keep laundry packets up and away from kids and never let young children handle or hold them.

Nineteen percent of families with children under the age of four reported storing liquid laundry packets on an open shelf. Don’t store packets on the countertop or washing machine, even between loads.

Fifteen percent of families with children under the age of four allow their children to take part in loading liquid laundry packets into the washing machine drum. Don’t let children play with packets.

Proper storage of all cleaning products is a daily practice that can help prevent accidents in the home. Families with children under the age of 4 are likely to have their children in the same room while they do laundry. Do let children help sort colors and fold or pair items.

Accidents involving liquid laundry packets can easily be prevented with safe use and storage. You can make a difference by ensuring you and your friends and family are properly using and storing liquid laundry packets by keeping them up high and out of reach of young children.