Salt Lake City Fire Tip of the Week HazMat Safety Aug. 4, 2014 Fire Safety Tip of the Week HazMat Safety Aug 4, 2014 Many people safely use chemicals in their homes every day, but as the number of chemical products increases, the risk for improper use and injury also increases. When most of us think of hazardous materials, we picture trucks full of chemicals, factories, or dumps oozing slime. The Salt Lake City Fire Department reminds everyone that every home can be a warehouse of hazardous materials, containing items such as: * Automotive fluids * Barbecue products * Batteries * Health and beauty products * Home maintenance products * Household cleaners * Laundry products * Lawn and garden products * Medicines and medical supplies * Paints and thinners Proper use, storage and disposal of home hazardous materials is extremely important because these materials can pose serious fire, health, or environmental hazards. Use and Storage Tips * Buy only the amount of product you need, thus reducing the quantity of hazardous materials in storage. * Familiarize yourself with each product, its location, and purpose. * Follow use and storage instructions on the product’s label. Mixing products may create poisonous fumes or cause fires. * Store hazardous materials in their original containers. Changing containers is not only dangerous - it is illegal. * Use only portable storage containers listed by an independent testing laboratory for flammables and combustibles. * Store flammable products - such as gasoline, kerosene, propane gas, and paint thinner - away from the home. * Only fill portable gasoline containers outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Place the container on the ground to fill. * Never store flammables in direct sunlight or near an open flame or heat source. * Inspect storage areas regularly for leaky containers, poor ventilation, and the smell of fumes. * Store hazardous materials out of the reach of children and pets. * Use guardrails and safety locks on shelves and cabinets to prevent containers from tipping over or falling out, especially if you live in an earthquake-prone area. * Wear suitable protective clothing including gloves and eyewear as recommended by the product manufacturer. Disposal Tips * Follow disposal instructions on the products label. * Aerosol cans sometimes contain flammable or poisonous chemicals. If you dispose of them in the trash, they can be punctured and explode or start a fire. * In the event of a spill, thoroughly clean the area and place disposal containers in a well-ventilated area. If you cannot control the spill, or are in doubt about cleanup and disposal, call your local fire department. * Pay special attention to chemical products when moving them from place to place. The same rules apply for proper transportation as they do for storage. Click here for previous Safety Tips.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 14:08:20 +0000
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