Health First - Household Chemical Safety Checklist

Many chemicals found in the home are potentially dangerous. These include cleaning fluids, petrol, lye, furniture polish, insect killers, and ammonia. Use chemicals only for their intended purpose. Store and dispose of them properly.

TO INSURE YOUR SAFETY:

Read the label before you buy any chemical. This will tell you the intended use, and how dangerous the chemical is. Be sure to pick the least dangerous chemical for the job.
Have the required safety equipment, such as rubber gloves, dust masks, or safety glasses on hand. Follow label instructions when using the product.
Dispose of all unmarked chemicals. If chemicals require dilution, mix only enough for your present use. Be sure to clearly label all containers. Never use food or drink containers to store chemicals.
Never mix chemicals. For example, ammonia and bleach form a poisonous gas when mixed.
Do not sniff chemicals to identify them, as they may have toxic fumes.
If you have young children in your home, keep all chemicals stored in locked cabinets. Teach your older children about using chemicals safely.
Keep the telephone number of your poison information centre posted by all of your phones. If you do not have a local or state number, call 000 for emergency help.