As a consumer you may assume a product is safe if it is offered for sale. Unfortunately, many household products contain hazardous ingredients that can be harmful when you use them or dispose of them improperly.
Common Hazardous Products
Oil-based Paints
Solvent-based Paint Thinners
Furniture and Floor Polishes
Lawn Fertilizers
Drain Openers
Mothballs
Pesticides
Motor Oil
Bug Sprays
Smoke Detectors
(Should be returned to the manufacturer at their address on base of detector)
Look for These Key Words & Symbols:
Flammable/Combustible - Can easily be set on fire
Corrosive/Caustic - Can burn and destroy living tissue
Radioactive - Can damage and destroy cells and chromosomes
Toxic/Poisonous - Capable of causing injury or death from ingestion, inhalation or absorption
Explosive/Reactive - Can detonate or explode from exposure to heat, sudden shock or pressure
Consider Alternative Products:
Buy Only What You Need - If you have leftovers, pass them on to someone else
If You Are Pregnant Avoid Hazardous Products
- Many chemicals are not tested for their effects on the unborn fetus.
Non-Toxic Alternatives
Outdoor Pesticides
Use natural predators such as ladybugs, ground beetles, lacewings, praying mantis & spiders.
Set traps to collect insects such as wet newspapers, stones, flat boaeds, lettuce, spinach leaves & grapefruit rinds.
Use companion planting.
Drain Cleaner
Prevent clogged drain by pouring boiling water down drain periodically.
Plunger followed by handful of baking soda with 1/2 cup vinegar; cover drain & let sit for 15 minutes followed by 2 quarts boiling water.
Use mechanical snake.
Disinfectants
Use 1 teaspoon bleach mixed with 1 gallon water.
Use ammonia.
Oven Cleaner
Sprinkle salt or baking soda on fresh spills when they're warm and scraper them off when oven cools.
Line bottom of oven with foil (check oven warranty about foil use).
Air Freshener
Ventilation is the best air freshener.
Open box of baking soda.
Tile Cleaner
Scrub with baking soda.
Indoor Insect Spray
Screen in windows & doors.
Promptly put discarded food into covered containers.
