We use chemicals in our homes every day. These chemicals include cleaning fluids, plant food, paint and fuels, as well as chemicals within insulation and flooring. Getting to know the labels on chemical products will help protect you and your family from harm.
Chemical products in your home
Cleaning products like bleach, oven sprays, liquid laundry capsules and toilet cleaners contain chemicals. Paints, glues, oils, pest poisons and medicines are also chemicals commonly found in the home.
Most of the chemicals you use at home are not dangerous if you use them properly. However, some chemicals need more careful handling than others.
Some chemicals are particularly attractive to children or can be confused for food or drink if they are not stored in their original containers and kept safely out of reach.
Labels can help you identify the more hazardous chemicals, tell you what the dangers are and advise how to use them safely.
Recognising chemicals
Most chemical products carry hazard symbols telling you whether a substance is harmful and in what way. You might see one or more symbols on a single product.
Explosive (exploding bomb) 
Flammable (flame)
Oxidising (flame over circle) 
Corrosive (corrosion)
Acute toxicity (skull and crossbones) 
Dangerous to the environment
(environment)
Health hazards (exclamation mark) 
Serious health hazard (internal damage)
Gas under pressure (gas cylinder)
The chemicals you use will usually have information about how to use the product safely. It is important that you read and follow this advice. If you have an incident involving a chemical, you may need the details of the supplier so you can get further advice or information.
Medicines
Medicines are specialist chemicals. They will not carry the symbols above but can still be harmful if you take them in the wrong quantities or if they are taken by children, who may mistake them for sweets. Like other chemicals they should be:
• Stored safely out of reach of children.
• Kept in their original packaging and with the product information and instructions for use.
• Used as instructed by the pharmacy or a medical professional.
• Prescribed medicines should only be used by the people for whom they have been prescribed.
Using hazardous chemical products safely
• Always read the warning label and follow the instructions.
• Only use as much as you need of a product.
• If a substance is hazardous, remove children, pets and their toys from the area for as long as is recommended on the label.
• Properly ventilate the area by opening the windows. If recommended, wear the correct protective equipment, such as gloves or goggles.
• Do not leave chemical products unattended. If you must leave the room in the middle of a task, put the product away or take it with you.
• It is dangerous to bring together two common household cleaners, such as chlorine bleach and ammonia, as this forms a highly toxic gas.
• After using chemicals, wash any part of you that came into direct contact with the substance.
Storing and disposing of chemical products safely
Safely store chemicals by following the storage instructions on the label.
In most cases, you should:
• Not move products into other containers – these containers might not be capable of safely storing the substance, you might not remember what is in the bottle and children might mistakenly think the substance is safe.
• Keep all hazardous chemicals out of the reach of young children or locked up.
• Never store hazardous chemicals near food or food products.
• Keep hazardous chemicals away from items used to prepare and cook foods, like pots, pans and cooking utensils.
• Store pressurised cans and flammable liquids away from sources of heat, ignition or sunlight.
If a product is leaking, expired or looks bad, you should dispose of it. Never pour products down the drain or sink. Remember that your drainage ends up in seas and rivers, so pouring chemicals down the drain will harm wildlife. Instead:
• Follow the advice on the label.
• Take it to your local waste and recycling centre, who can get rid of it safely.
• Return unused or out-of-date medicines to your pharmacy.
Contact with a toxic substance
If you or a member of your family may have swallowed or come into contact with a potentially toxic chemical, you must seek medical advice immediately.
Remember to provide a full description of the product and describe any symbols or guidance from the manufacturer detailed on the bottle or package.