How to Handle a Household Chemical Emergency
Buy only as much of a chemical as you think you will use., Keep products containing hazardous materials in their original containers and never remove the labels unless the container is corroding., Take a tour of your home to see where these...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Buy only as much of a chemical as you think you will use.
Leftover material can be shared with neighbors or donated to a business, charity, or government agency.
For example, excess pesticide could be offered to a greenhouse or garden center, and theater groups often need surplus paint.
Some communities have organized waste exchanges where household hazardous chemicals and waste can be swapped or given away. -
Step 2: Keep products containing hazardous materials in their original containers and never remove the labels unless the container is corroding.
Corroding containers should be repackaged and clearly labeled.
Never store hazardous products in food containers. , Once you have located a product, check the label and take the necessary steps to ensure that you are using, storing, and disposing of the material according to the manufacturer’s directions. , Remember that products such as aerosol cans of hair spray and deodorant, nail polish and nail polish remover, toilet bowl cleaners, and furniture polishes all fall into the category of hazardous materials. , Incompatibles, such as chlorine bleach and ammonia, may react, ignite, or explode. , Use rags to clean up the spill.
Wear gloves and eye protection.
Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors, then dispose of the rags by wrapping them in a newspaper and placing them in a sealed plastic bag in your trash can. , Take household hazardous waste to a local collection program.
Check with your county or state environmental or solid waste agency to learn if there is a household hazardous waste collection program in your area. ,, Post the number of the emergency medical services and the poison control center by all telephones.
In an emergency situation, you may not have time to look up critical phone numbers.
The national poison control number is (800)-222-1222. -
Step 3: Take a tour of your home to see where these materials are located.
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Step 4: Store household chemicals in places where children cannot access them.
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Step 5: Never mix household hazardous chemicals or waste with other products.
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Step 6: Clean up any chemical spill immediately.
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Step 7: Dispose of hazardous materials correctly.
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Step 8: Learn to recognize the symptoms of toxic poisoning
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Step 9: which are as follows: difficulty breathing; irritation of the eyes
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Step 10: throat
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Step 11: or respiratory tract; changes in skin color; headache or blurred vision; dizziness
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Step 12: clumsiness or lack of coordination; cramps or diarrhea.
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Step 13: Be prepared to seek medical assistance.
Detailed Guide
Leftover material can be shared with neighbors or donated to a business, charity, or government agency.
For example, excess pesticide could be offered to a greenhouse or garden center, and theater groups often need surplus paint.
Some communities have organized waste exchanges where household hazardous chemicals and waste can be swapped or given away.
Corroding containers should be repackaged and clearly labeled.
Never store hazardous products in food containers. , Once you have located a product, check the label and take the necessary steps to ensure that you are using, storing, and disposing of the material according to the manufacturer’s directions. , Remember that products such as aerosol cans of hair spray and deodorant, nail polish and nail polish remover, toilet bowl cleaners, and furniture polishes all fall into the category of hazardous materials. , Incompatibles, such as chlorine bleach and ammonia, may react, ignite, or explode. , Use rags to clean up the spill.
Wear gloves and eye protection.
Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors, then dispose of the rags by wrapping them in a newspaper and placing them in a sealed plastic bag in your trash can. , Take household hazardous waste to a local collection program.
Check with your county or state environmental or solid waste agency to learn if there is a household hazardous waste collection program in your area. ,, Post the number of the emergency medical services and the poison control center by all telephones.
In an emergency situation, you may not have time to look up critical phone numbers.
The national poison control number is (800)-222-1222.
About the Author
Mark Griffin
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow hobbies tutorials.
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