Household chemicals can be deadly

 Is your house full of chemicals like mine? 

When you go through the household aisle in the supermarket there is so much choice and the choices seem to increase every time you visit.  With every chemical there are potential hazards that could lead to injury and illness for you and your loves ones at home.  Of course you hear about the tragedies where someone was poisoned but there are other injuries and illnesses that can develop including dermatitis, allergies and burns.

When you're taking product off the shelf, take time to read the label and pay attention to the symbols that are on the label.  The symbols that are typically on household chemical products will tell you if its explosive, corrosive, flammable or poison which gives you some idea on the hazards involved with using the chemicals. The shape of the symbols lets you know if the contents or the container are dangerous and pay attention to the signal words, caution, danger or extreme danger.  You might be able to substitute for another chemical that is less hazardous after reviewing the label in detail.

Once you get the product home, where should you store it?  The label might provide guidance on storage conditions such as what temperature to ensure the chemical is stored at.  Other tips include;

  • keeping chemicals stored away from kids and pets,
  • keeping liquid chemicals stored below your eye level, and
  • keeping spray nozzles in the "off" or "locked" position when not in use.
If you're looking for even more info on the chemicals you use in your home, you might be able to find the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) online even though it isn't required for household chemicals.  An SDS will have lots of information on the product including first aid measures, incompatible products, storage and disposal info, and what personal protective equipment might be needed when using the chemicals.  

For more info on household chemicals, check out the Health Canada page for more info

If you have any questions?  Connect with me on Twitter (@SAFTDIVA), or LinkedIn

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