Home Chemical Safety Dos and Don’ts

Home Chemical Safety Dos and Don’ts

Home Chemical Safety Dos and Don’ts

Home Chemical Safety do’s and don’ts: Several chemicals such as toilet cleaner, antifreeze, diluted acids or battery electrolytes, chemical strippers, chlorine bleach, contact cement, drain cleaners, pesticides, lawn chemicals, nail polish remover, body spray , paint, thinner, stain removers, engine oil, lubricants, cooking gas, etc. can be harmful if not handled with care.

All of these chemicals can be in any form, including liquid, solid, or gas, and can be life threatening if not handled properly. Therefore, appropriate precautions should be taken during storage and handling. It is always advisable to read and understand the safe handling, storage, and disposal instructions on the label of the chemical container.

These “Home Chemical Safety Do’s and Don'ts” help you to ensure chemical safety in your home and prevent accidents or illness.

There are mainly two types of chemicals that are mainly found in the home, the first is hazardous to health like irritant, sensitizing and carcinogenic chemicals and the second as a chemical presents a physical hazard such as flammable , corrosive and explosive.

Chemicals can be exposed by inhalation, injection or ingestion or absorption through the skin and can have acute or chronic health effects.

It is always a good idea to post basic chemical safety do’s and don'ts in your home in a prominent location to remind you and alert you of the hazardous properties of chemicals and, first aid care and spill control methods.

Home Chemical Safety Do’s and Don’ts

These safety instructions in the form of Do’s and Don’ts and cautions can help you to store, carry, use, and handle chemicals safely in your home.

Do’s

1. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label of the chemical container.
2. Know the chemical hazards and first aid before handling.
3. Use appropriate PPE, including gloves and respirators, depending on the nature of the work and the type of exposure.
4. When exposed, use water to wash off the contaminant for at least 15 minutes.
5. Label all chemicals used and seal the container tightly.
6. Before servicing or maintenance, completely drain or purge equipment.
7. Store chemicals in a well-ventilated area and ensure adequate ventilation during use by switch on the fans and opening the windows.
8. Keep chemicals out of the reach of children, preferably in a lock and key.
9. Clean up any spills in the area immediately, use chemical inhibitor sand to remove.
10. Timely dispose of chemicals that are leaking or expired, if the quantity is more, then better contact your local waste management agency.
11. Use the drip tray when transferring chemicals from one portable container to another.
12. Wash your hands before eating and maintain good general hygiene.

Don’ts

1. Don’t store chemicals in the kitchen or near food or food products.
2. Don’t store incompatible chemicals together.
3. Don’t mix reactive cleaner such as chlorine bleach and ammonia, it can produce toxic gas which is harmful to life.
4. Don’t mix Bleach and vinegar it can produce toxic vapours.
5. Don’t store the chemical in direct sunlight.
6. Don’t use body spray in kitchen or near other ignition source as body spray contains alcohol and it is highly flammable.
7. Don’t use snow spray near birthday cake candle, it is also flammable.
8. Don’t spill chemicals.
9. Don’t leave chemical containers with the lid open unattended.
10. Don’t dispose of chemicals contaminated with other wastes to avoid the risk of fire.
11. Don’t keep a large inventory of chemicals.
12. Don’t reuse empty chemical containers.
13. Don't leave chemical products unattended.
14. Don’t transfer a hazardous chemical from its original container to another unlabeled container.
15.  Don’t transfer a hazardous chemical from its original container to an old food container or water bottle.
16. Don’t try to siphon the chemical through your mouth.
17. Don’t use damaged or uncleaned hoses after use to transfer chemicals.
18. Battery electrolytes or other containers of dilute acid should never be moved without protection.
19. Don’t store flammable chemicals in a plastic container.

Hazards of household chemicals

1. Corrosive property of chemicals
2. Reactive property of chemical
3. Toxic property of chemical
4. Flammability and explosive property of chemicals

Risk of household chemicals

Fire, burn, trauma, explosion, skin and eye irritation, lungs diseases, headache and chemical exposure other acute and prolong diseases.

Chemical labels for identification and hazards communication

Here are the symbols you can find on the container of each chemical that shows its hazardous properties

 

Hazardous chemical labels

These Home Chemical Safety Dos and Don'ts can be prepared as pictures and displayed in your home to provide a quick and easy guide for your family members. It can also be used to educate children.

Posting chemical safety dos and don'ts in your home is a great way to always remind yourself about safety precautions when using chemicals in your home.

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