FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact(s): Brian Sansoni, ACI (202) 662-2517Anthony Viardo, CSPA (202) 833-7315

November 5, 2015

Keeping Children Safe and Healthy: Best Practices Information for Child Care Providers

Newswise — WASHINGTON, DC (November 5, 2015) –– Do child care providers know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting their facilities? Knowing how to minimize exposure to germs in a child care facility can protect children from many harmful diseases that add to medical bills and lost work days for parents. New posters from the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) give child care providers critical information on properly using cleaning products in their facilities.

ACI and CSPA, through its education foundation, Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE), developed best practices information posters to support child care providers in keeping facilities clean and sanitized to protect the children in their care. The posters – available through ACI and ACE – help providers determine the best types of products to use on the various surfaces in a child care facility and when to use them. ACI and ACE members worked with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to develop the information provided on the posters.

“Very simply put, proper use of cleaning and disinfecting products helps save lives,” said Ernie Rosenberg, ACI President & CEO. “Safe and proper use of these products is essential in child care facilities. Child care facilities can help protect children from spreading disease and infections. That’s why ACI’s long-standing alliances with and outreach to these communities matter so much to our member companies, which are committed to ensuring safe and healthy environments.”

The safety of consumers is the highest priority for the members of ACI and CSPA. ACI and CSPA member companies manufacture products that are safe when used according to the directions on the label. Manufacturers are continuously focusing on the safety of cleaning products and packaging, as well as helping to prevent their products from reaching children. Users are encouraged to determine the most appropriate product for the need and to read and follow all label directions.

“There is an important partnership between product manufacturers and those who use products. It is critical that child care providers have access to a variety of products to meet their needs and that they read and follow the label directions,” said CSPA President and CEO Chris Cathcart. “We are pleased to continue our commitment to providing education to our consumers through the release of the ACE child care poster.”

“Understanding how to correctly use, store and dispose of products is an essential part of keeping our children safe and healthy. ACE is proud to be part of this proactive effort to encourage reading the label and following directions for use,” said Sara Stickler, ACE Executive Director.

About ACI The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and 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. ACI (www.cleaninginstitute.org) and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

About ACEThe Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000. The ACE mission is “educate consumers on the correct use, storage, and disposal of household and institutional products.” Its core program areas are: Inhalant Abuse Prevention, Disease Prevention, Poison Prevention, and Product Management. ACE is affiliated with the Consumer Specialty Products Association. For more information, please visit www.consumered.org/

About CSPAThe Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) is the premier trade association representing the interests of companies engaged in the manufacture, formulation, distribution and sale of more than $100 billion annually in the U.S. of familiar consumer products that help household and institutional customers create cleaner and healthier environments. CSPA member companies employ hundreds of thousands of people globally. Products CSPA represents include disinfectants that kill germs in homes, hospitals and restaurants; candles, and fragrances and air fresheners that eliminate odors; pest management products for home, garden and pets; cleaning products and polishes for use throughout the home and institutions; products used to protect and improve the performance and appearance of automobiles; aerosol products and a host of other products used every day. Through its product stewardship program, Product Care®, and scientific and business-to-business endeavors, CSPA provides its members a platform to effectively address issues regarding the health, safety and sustainability of their products. For more information, please visit www.cspa.org.