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HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL EMERGENCIES
Before 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
- Never store hazardous products in food containers
- Never mix household hazardous chemicals or waste with other products
Take the following precautions to prevent and respond to accidents:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions 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 rages to clean up the spill. Wear gloves and eye protection. Allow the fumes in the rages to evaporate outdoors, then dispose of the rages by wrapping them in a newspaper and placing them in a sealed plastic bag in your trash can.
- Dispose of hazardous materials correctly. Take household hazardous waste to a local collection program.
During a household chemical emergency, be prepared to seek medical assistance:
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and follow directions.
If there is a danger of fire or explosion
- Get out of the residence immediately. Do not waste time collecting items or calling the fire department when you are in danger. Call the fire department from outside (a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone) once you are safely away from danger.
- 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 or dispatcher’s first aid instructions carefully. The first aid advice found on containers may be out of date or inappropriate.
- Do not give anything by mouth unless advised to do so by a medical professional or poison control.
TAKE ACTION !!!!!!!
FIRST
- Go indoors and listen to local radio or television for instructions
- If you are in a vehicle, close windows and turn off and close air systems. DO NOT drive through a gas cloud.
SHELTER IN PLACE
- Close all windows and doors. Seal cracks with tape or cover with wet towels or blankets.
- Turn off heating, cooling or ventilation systems. Close fireplace dampers.
- Move to a central interior area of the building.
- Bring pets inside.
- If eyes, nose or throat become irritated, protect your breathing by covering your mouth with a damp cloth, take frequent shallow breaths, and stay calm.
IF EVACUATION IS ORDERED
- Quickly gather essentials you and your family will need, such as medicine, baby supplies, driver’s license, checkbook, and 72 hour kits.
- DO NOT go to children’s schools. School officials will take special care of the children.
- Leave a sign on the door saying the house has been evacuated.
- Keep car windows and air vents closed.
- Police officers along the evacuation route will direct you.
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