Chemicals in the home

Your home probably contains products and materials that are potentially dangerous. Poisons information services receive large numbers of calls every day, many of them about exposure to a poison, and a significant share involve children. Although serious poisoning is relatively rare, some people who are poisoned end up in hospital, and some die. It pays to know what chemicals are in your home and how to prevent an accidental poisoning.

Read the label#

Before you buy a product, read the label. Before you use it, read the label again and follow the instructions for use. When you use a chemical product, make sure you have the recommended protective equipment, such as gloves, safety goggles and a face mask, and work in a well ventilated area.

Common household chemicals#

You may already know that some common household products contain potentially dangerous chemicals. Watch out for:

• cleaning agents such as bleaches, dishwasher powders, oven cleaners, drain cleaners and turpentine
• pest control products, weed killers and other gardening products
• swimming pool chemicals
• liquid petroleum gas (LPG)

Many medications can also be dangerous if used incorrectly, including pain relievers, diabetes medicines, iron tablets, sedatives, and heart and blood pressure tablets. An adult may know not to swallow these products, or to take medicines only in the prescribed dose, but a child might think they are safe to touch, eat or drink. You and your family can live safely with these chemicals around your home if you store and use them correctly.

Storing chemicals safely#

Store and use all chemicals according to the instructions on the packaging. Chemicals may be toxic or flammable, and some create a poisonous gas or liquid when mixed.

• Always keep chemicals in their original containers, never in cups or drink bottles.
• Try to find the least dangerous product that will do the job, especially if there are children in the house.
• Keep chemicals in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children, including those who are good climbers.
• Where you can, keep liquid chemicals away from or below dry chemicals.
• If you use chemical cleaners, wash the cleaning rags before reusing them or throwing them out.
• Keep chemicals in their original packaging so you can identify them easily.
• Do not store chemicals in unlabelled containers, containers that cannot be sealed, containers that the product may react with, or containers that originally held a different product, particularly food or drink.
• If you have to repackage a product, label it clearly, and only use chemicals for their intended job.
• Follow any special storage instructions, such as keeping flammable liquids away from heat, keeping medicines in a cool place, and keeping acids away from alkaline products.
• Check regularly that storage containers are not damaged or leaking, especially during long-term storage.

In many places, you are legally required to store pesticides in their original containers, which must meet labeling requirements for poisons.

Disposing of household chemicals safely#

Some household chemicals must not be thrown into your regular rubbish. The following may need special disposal:

• Ionization-type smoke alarms, which are slightly radioactive. Small numbers can usually go in household rubbish, but for large quantities seek advice from your local fire or waste service.
• Rechargeable and single-use batteries, which can be returned to a supplier or a battery recycling facility.
• Lead acid batteries, which can be taken to a waste station.
• Fire extinguishers, which can be returned to a fire service.
• Distress flares, for which you should check disposal advice with the manufacturer.
• Old, expired or unwanted medications, which can be returned to a pharmacist for proper disposal.

Many areas also run household chemical collections where you can dispose of chemicals, used motor oil, paint, solvent, LPG canisters and rechargeable batteries, or you can take these to a waste station. Never throw chemicals in the toilet or down the drain, and wrap empty chemical containers before throwing them out. If you are unsure what to do with any household chemicals, contact your local council’s environmental health officer.

Signs of poisoning#

If you think you or someone else has been poisoned by chemicals, look for:

• vomiting, stomach pains or diarrhea
• confusion or trouble thinking, headaches or blurred vision
• breathing difficulties, drowsiness or fainting
• fitting (seizures)
• stinging eyes, skin or throat
• burns or redness, particularly around the mouth if the poison was swallowed

Poisoning can look like other conditions, such as a seizure, drunkenness or drug use, or a stroke, so look for clues. You may find empty pill bottles or packages, burn marks or stains on furniture or the floor, or detect a chemical smell. If you are worried about a child, check whether they could have drunk poison from a container, applied medicated patches or swallowed a button battery.

What to do in a poisoning emergency#

Even if you cannot find proof of poisoning, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) for an ambulance immediately if the person is losing consciousness or has collapsed, is in severe pain, is vomiting profusely, is fitting, is struggling to breathe or is having an anaphylactic reaction.

If the person is stable and breathing normally, contact your local poisons information centre. These lines are typically open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have this information ready:

• the poison you think is involved, and what you know about it (try to have the container with you)
• how much was swallowed, and how long ago
• the person’s symptoms, age and weight
• any medications the person is using

While waiting for help:

• If someone has swallowed poison, DO NOT try to make them vomit. If the poison is a solid, clean out their mouth with your fingers. If it is a liquid, clean out a child’s mouth with a wash cloth, or an adult’s mouth with water, getting them to spit it out rather than swallow.
• If the poison is on the skin, put on gloves, remove the person’s clothing and rinse their skin in a shower or with a hose for 15 minutes.
• If poison is in the eye, gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes, or until help arrives.
• If someone has inhaled poison, move them into fresh air.
• Whatever the form of poisoning, the person may start to vomit. Try to keep them upright. If they have to lie down, turn their head to the side so they do not choke.
• If the person loses consciousness or stops breathing, begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Do not give a poisoned person anything to eat or drink unless told to by a medical professional. The first aid advice on a container label may be out of date or inappropriate, so follow the instructions given by the emergency operator or poisons information centre.

Other safety precautions#

• If you think a chemical is at risk of exploding or causing fire, move away from it immediately. Don’t waste time saving property, just find a safe place and call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) from there.
• If a chemical has toxic fumes, stay upwind from it, in a ventilated space.

Where to get help#