The Naperville Park District is partnering with the American Cleaning Institute to promote a new safety measure.
Laundry pods are highly concentrated detergent packets meant to make washing your clothes easier.
However they’re also very toxic and their bright colors can make them look like toys or candy to small children. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, in 2017, 10,500 children younger than five were exposed to laundry pods.
#PacketsUp is a new initiative promoting parents to keep laundry packets out of the reach of children.
“It’s just basically getting your packets, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, any kind of cleaners out of the reach of children,” said Stacey Fontechia, sales and sponsorship manager for the park district.
The American Cleaning Institute chose Naperville as the pilot city for the program. If 750 people post a photo on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with the hashtag #PacketsUp, the park district will receive a $10,000 donation toward the development of the 95th Street Community Plaza.
One lucky poster will also receive a new washer and dryer.
The #PacketsUp competition runs through November 16.
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.