Use household chemicals safely

Household chemical products, such as cleaning liquids and powders, drain cleaners, paint and paint thinners, liquid laundry detergent packets and windshield washer fluid can be dangerous. They can cause poisonings, burns, fires or explosions if not handled safely.

Household chemical safety tips

Follow these tips when you are buying, using, storing and disposing of household chemical products.

Buying household chemical products

When you are buying a household chemical product, read the label to determine its ingredients and any special handling instructions.
- If you are interested in learning more about the ingredients in a household chemical product, contact the manufacturer or visit their website.
Look for and understand hazard symbols found on the front of the product.
- If you don't already know what these symbols mean, learn them. If you follow the instructions, you could prevent an injury. You could even save a life.
Check to make sure the product you're thinking of buying hasn’t been recalled. Certain household chemical products may be banned if they contain high levels of a harmful chemical, or include an ingredient that’s not allowed in this country.
Choose low-emission paints, varnishes and glues.

Using household chemical products

Read the label and follow all instructions for safe usage when using household chemical products.
Never mix household chemical products together. Some mixtures can produce harmful gases.
Open windows or use exhaust fans to help keep your home well ventilated during and after projects and renovations.
- Take fresh air breaks as needed.
Wear the recommended personal protective equipment such as protective clothing, gloves, goggles, and masks, as described on your household chemical products.
Wash your hands with soap and water after using the product.
Check that child-resistant closures are in good working order.
Child-resistant doesn’t mean child-proof. Close the cap on the container all the way even if you set it down for just a moment.
Teach children that hazard symbols mean Danger! Do not touch.
Program emergency numbers into your phone.

Storing household chemical products

Store tightly closed in their original containers and according to instructions.
Keep all safety information.
Keep out of sight and out of reach of children and pets.
Store paints, solvents, gasoline, fuels, varnishes and other products that may release harmful fumes or catch fire outside of your home.
- If possible, store products in a separate building that isn’t connected to your home's ventilation system.
Avoid storing chemical products in areas with fluctuating temperatures.
Regularly check containers for leaks or damage.

Disposing of household chemical products

Follow municipal guidelines on how to dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste.
Dispose of prescription drugs safely.
Never:
- re-use empty containers
- burn household chemicals and containers
- pour the contents down the drain unless directed
Reduce waste by buying only what you need.

Learn about using pesticides safely.

Laundry detergent packets

Laundry detergent packets are small and often brightly coloured, and can be attractive to children and to adults with cognitive impairment. They can be dangerous if ingested or if the contents are exposed to skin or eyes. Keep them safely stored out of sight and reach of children and adults with cognitive impairment.

COVID-19: Cleaning products and bleach

Although cleaning products can’t claim to kill COVID-19, they can limit the transfer of germs (microorganisms). Cleaning products remove germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces by using soap (or detergent) and water. Cleaning doesn’t necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. We recommend cleaning high-touch hard surfaces often with regular household cleaners or diluted bleach.

Bleach

You can use household bleach (chlorine bleach) to kill bacteria, fungi, or viruses, but it can irritate or burn your skin, eyes or lungs if not handled safely. You should never mix bleach products with other cleaning products because this can produce toxic gas. Read the label on the product you’re using and follow all safety instructions.

How to dilute bleach

Only make as much diluted bleach as you will need at 1 time. Don’t store any leftover diluted bleach in a container for future use, as you may mistakenly use it for another purpose. This could lead to dangerous incidents.

To prepare diluted bleach to disinfect high-touch hard surfaces, follow the instructions on the label or in a ratio of:

250 mL (1 cup) of water per 5 mL (1 teaspoon) bleach or
1 litre of water (4 cups) per 20 mL (4 teaspoons) bleach

This applies to bleach that is 5 % sodium hypochlorite, to give a 0.1 % sodium hypochlorite solution.

Always pour the bleach into the water, never the other way around.

Safety tips for bleach and diluted bleach

NEVER mix bleach with other chemicals especially with glass cleaners, other products containing ammonia or acids such as vinegar. Mixing bleach and ammonia or other chemicals can produce toxic gases.
NEVER clean yourself or your child with bleach or diluted bleach.
Ensure proper ventilation by opening windows or doors and running exhaust fans, during and after using the product.
Use goggles and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and skin when using the product.
Wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning with the product.
Keep bleach out of sight and reach of children.

For more information on safely using household bleach at home and in the workplace, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

What to do if someone is exposed to household chemical products

If someone has been exposed to a household chemical product and you think they may have been harmed:

Call a poison centre or your health care provider right away.
Tell the person who answers the phone what the product label says. There should be first aid instructions surrounded by a border on the back or side of the product label.
Bring the product container with you when you go for help.
Report the incident to Health Canada.

Understanding hazard symbols

Hazard symbols are on the labels of many household chemical products in and around your home and garage, like cooking spray, cleaning products, paint and paint thinners, drain cleaners and windshield washer fluid.

Hazard symbols have three parts:

the picture
the frame
the caution (signal) words underneath the image

1. Hazard symbol pictures

The picture tells you the type of danger:

EXPLOSIVE
The container can explode if heated or punctured. Flying pieces of metal or plastic from the container can cause serious injury, especially to your eyes.

CORROSIVE
The product can burn your skin or eyes. If swallowed, it can damage your throat and stomach.

FLAMMABLE
The product or its fumes will catch fire easily if it is near heat, flames, or sparks. Rags used with this product may begin to burn on their own.

POISON
If you swallow, lick, or in some cases, breathe in the chemical, you could become very sick or die.

2. Hazard symbol frames

The shape of the frame around the hazard symbol tells you what part of the product is dangerous:

If it's a triangle, it means the container is dangerous.

If it's an octagon, it means the contents are dangerous.

3. Signal words

The signal word(s) underneath the hazard symbol explain the degree of risk:

Symbol -

Signal word - DANGER EXPLOSIVE

Signal words:

CAUTION means temporary injury may result. Death may occur with extreme exposure.
DANGER means may cause temporary or permanent injury, or death.
EXTREME DANGER means exposure to very low amounts may cause death or serious injury.

Check for product recalls and report any injuries or other product-related health and safety concerns.

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Date modified:: 2024-02-20

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