The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), a nonprofit organization representing producers of household cleaning products, announced the one year anniversary of its KEY Pledge safety education campaign, reaffirming its commitment to keep children safe from accidental laundry packet exposures and injury.

The campaign is reaching parents and caregivers with important safety information. Since the campaign was launched in June of 2013, more than 41,000 consumers have made the pledge to a safe laundry room and routine through an online pledge system.

"As of April, 2014, 3,481 individuals have come in contact with liquid laundry packets in some way and made a call to a Poison Center. We believe that education and public awareness can reduce that number. ACI’s mission is to reach as many parents and caregivers as possible to ensure that they are keeping these products away from children just like any other household cleaner," said Nancy Bock, ACI senior vice president of education. "Since June is National Safety Month, we want to share timely reminders about keeping kids safe."

In year two of its campaign, ACI is continuing to work with various groups, including manufacturers, retailers and educators to increase public awareness and engagement on this issue. In addition to sharing information about safe laundry packet usage and storage at industry and consumer events, ACI continues to reach out directly to parents, caregivers and media on this topic, with mom bloggers serving a vital role in amplifying the campaign.

ACI has also forged strategic partnerships with the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) and Coin Laundry Association (CLA) to maximize its message. The purpose of these activities and partnerships is to decrease the number of laundry packet exposures and increase awareness about the potential hazards laundry packets pose, as well as to highlight ways to prevent accidents from occurring.

"As a dad of a toddler, I know that children act fast, and so can liquid laundry packet accidents. Each laundry packet contains highly concentrated liquid laundry detergent and can cause serious injury, such as accidental ingestion and eye exposure, if they end up in the hands of children," said Sean McEwen, lifestyle expert and KEY Pledge advocate. "Through ACI’s continued KEY Pledge laundry safety campaign, they are urging families to reassess their household safety habits and take the proper precautions with this new laundry product form, during National Safety Month and year-round. Accidents involving this product can be prevented. "

To learn more about the pledge, click here.

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. ACI members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers.