Overall
Why Prepare?
Citizen
Local
State
Federal
Basic Preparedness
Getting Informed
Planning and
Checklists
Special Needs
Disaster Supplies Kit
Shelter
Others
Natural Hazards
Floods
Hurricanes
Thunderstorms and lightning
Tornadoes
Winter storms and extreme cold
Extreme heat
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Landslides and debris flow
Tsunamis
Fires
Wildfires
Technological Hazards
Hazardous materials incidents
Household chemical emergencies
Nuclear power plant emergencies
Terrorism
Explosions
Biological threats
Chemical threats
Nuclear blasts
Radiological dispersion device events
Recovering from Disaster
Health and safety guidelines
Returning home
Seeking disaster assistance
Coping with disaster
Helping others
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Household Chemical Emergencies
Checking Your Home
There are probably many hazardous materials throughout your
home. Take a tour of your home to see where these materials
are located. 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. It is critical to store
household chemicals in places where children cannot access
them.
Remember that products such as aerosol cans of hair spray
and deodorant, nail polish and remover, toilet bowl cleaners
and furniture polishes all fall into the category of
hazardous materials.
Cleaning Products
Oven cleaners
Drain cleaners
Wood cleaner and polish
Metal cleaner and polish
Toilet cleaners
Tub, tile, shower cleaners
Bleach (laundry)
Pool chemicals
Indoor Pesticides
Ant sprays and baits
Cockroach sprays and baits
Flea repellents and shampoo
Bug sprays
Houseplant insecticides
Moth repellents
Mouse and rat poisons and baits
Workshop/Painting Supplies
Adhesives and glues
Furniture strippers
Oil- or enamel-based paint
Stains and finishes
Paint thinners and turpentine
Paint strippers and removers
Photographic chemicals
Fixatives and other solvents
Lawn and Garden Products
Herbicides
Insecticides
Fungicides/wood preservatives
Automotive Products
Motor oil
Fuel additives
Carburetor and fuel injection cleaners
Air conditioning refrigerants
Starter fluids
Automotive batteries
Transmission and brake fluid
Antifreeze
Other Flammable Products
Propane tanks and all compressed gas cylinders
Kerosene
Home heating oil
Diesel fuel
Gas/oil mix
Lighter fluid
Miscellaneous
Batteries
Mercury thermostats or thermometers
Fluorescent light bulbs
Driveway sealer
Although the risk of a chemical accident is slight, knowing
how to handle these products and how to react during an
emergency can reduce the risk of injury.
Take Protective Measures
What can I do Before a Household Chemical Emergency?
Buy only as much of a chemical as you will use to prevent
leftovers
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
Never mix household hazardous chemicals or waste with other
products
Incompatibles, such as chlorine bleach and ammonia, may
react, ignite or explode
Take the following precautions to prevent and respond to
accidents:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructors for the proper use of
the household chemical
Never smoke while using household chemicals
Never use hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products or
pesticides near an open flame
Clean up any chemical spill immediately
Use rags to clean up the spill.
Wear gloves and eye protection
Allow the rags to evaporate outdoors
Dispose of the rags by wrapping them in a newspaper and
placing them in a sealed plastic bag in your trash can
Dispose of hazardous materials correctly
Learn to recognize the symptoms of toxic poisoning:
Difficulty breathing
Irritation of the eyes, skin, throat or respiratory tract
Changes in skin color
Headache or blurred vision
Dizziness
Clumsiness or lack of coordination
Cramps or diarrhea
Be prepared to seek medical assistance
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.
What do I do During a Household Chemical Emergency?
If there is a danger of fire or explosion:
Get out of the residence immediately
Stay upwind and away from the residence to avoid breathing
toxic fumes
If someone has been exposed to a household chemical:
Find any containers of the substance that are readily
available in order to provide requested information
Call emergency medical services
Follow the emergency operator’s first aid instructions
carefully
Discard clothing that may have been contaminated
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