Health Canada provides safety tips for the home during the spring cleaning

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With a better climate just around the corner, many PEI residents may be thinking about spring cleaning.

Health Canada has issued a reminder of cleaning chemicals and the responsibility for buying and selling used items.

According to Patrice Hawkes, who is responsible for product safety at Health Canada, common household chemicals are the leading cause of injury and death in children under the age of five. Examples are liquids and cleaning powders, paints and drain cleaners.

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Safety tips for parents and caregivers when using household cleaning products:

• Read the label and follow the instructions when using a household product. Teach children that danger symbols mean danger! Do not touch!

• Store chemicals, cleaning products, detergent bags, medicines, cosmetics, and even art objects in a safe place out of sight and out of the reach of children.

• Store all household chemicals in their original container. Keep all security information. • Make sure that all child-restraint boxes are working properly.

• If poisoning is suspected, contact your local Poison Control Center or call 911 immediately. • Have emergency numbers ready on the phone in case of emergency.

• Visit the Canada.ca Home Chemical Safety page for more information.

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Product safety awareness also extends to the products used. The most popular items in garage sales include toys, car seats, cribs, playpens, children's clothing and helmets, and household items such as blinds and small appliances.

In Canada, it is the seller's responsibility to ensure that his products are safe, but Mr. Hawkes added that buyers should also check that the products meet legal or safety requirements.

For more information, see "Buying Used Products" Canada.ca and the "Database for Withdrawals and Security Alerts ".

There is also a section where Health Canada is informed about health or safety incidents involving a consumer product or cosmetics.

For more information, contact the Health Canada Consumer Product Safety Program at 1-866-662-0666 or cps-spc@hc-sc.gc .

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