Families in Somerset are being urged by the Royal Society for the Prevention Accidents (RoSPA) to take action to protect their children from the risks of household cleaning products.

The latest phase of the Take Action Today, Put Them Away campaign, funded by the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI), is being launched 24 January.

This follows the scheme's success in 42 areas of the UK including Birmingham, Liverpool, King's Lynn, Nottingham, Newcastle, Bradford and Northern Ireland where over 700,000 families have been helped to prevent poisoning and eye injuries.

 In Somerset, accidental poisonings accounted for 160 emergency admissions for 0 – 4-year-olds between 2018/19- 2020/21.

As part of the campaign, a handy magnetic notepad featuring key safety advice will be handed out to thousands of families by health visitors and children's centre staff.

Jim Oram, RoSPA's Public Health Project Officer, said: "The notepad acts as a constant reminder in family kitchens to store cleaning products out of reach, out of sight and in a locked cupboard.

"Due to their inquisitive nature, children under the age of five are most at risk of accidentally swallowing or getting household cleaning products, like liquid laundry capsules, into their eyes.

"Even products with a child-resistant closure cannot guarantee safety - they only reduce the risk by delaying access to the product."

Philip Malpass, from the industry's trade body, the UKCPI, said: "Cleaning products are designed to be safe to use and to provide the clean and hygienic home we often take for granted today.

"The accidents we see involving young children and cleaning products are avoidable and whilst the severity of the injuries are generally low, we hope that this campaign will remind parents to follow the usage instructions on the packaging, and in so doing, avoid unnecessary accidents."

Joanne Gill, Operational Service Manager Public Health Nursing, said: "The Health visiting team in Somerset are really excited to be part of this campaign.

"We know from feedback families appreciate the opportunity to talk to us about home safety and having the notepad to keep at home as a reminder is a great idea".

 Take action today, put them away advice to parents includes:

•         Store household cleaning products out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard

•         Always store chemicals in their original containers

•         Never pierce or break laundry capsules or tablets

•         Always close the lid of any product

•         In the event of an incident, follow advice on the product pack and seek medical attention.