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Hazardous Materials: Storage & Handling
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| If you use hazardous products, you can avoid accidents and poisonings. Be sure to follow the directions for how to mix and use the product Read the Label
Before you Open the Container
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- HAVE A BACK-UP. Think for a moment about what you would do if
something went wrong, especially if you have a spill, or if you splash
any of the product on yourself. Have a back-up person around to help
you if you get into trouble while using a product that is labeled
"Warning" or "Danger".
- FOLLOW the INSTRUCTIONS on what to wear. Gloves, goggles, and long sleeves can keep you healthy.
- DON’T eat, drink, or smoke while handling hazardous products.
- NEVER mix products together! Mixing ordinary chemicals can cause dangerous reactions that form toxic gases or explosions.
- KEEP AREA WELL VENTILATED. Make sure there’s plenty of fresh air.
Work outdoors if possible, especially with paints and solvents.
- USE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS. Keep products in their original
containers. It is especially important not to pour them into a food
container (like a mayonnaise jar) that children might accidentally
associate with food.
- STAY CLEAN. Always wash up afterwards with soap and water.
- STAY ALERT and AVOID INTERRUPTIONS. If you are interrupted for any
reason (like to answer the telephone or the door) when handling
hazardous products and medications, be sure to take pets and children
with you . Better yet, when using hazardous products, keep kids and
pets away, do only one thing at a time, and don’t leave the area until
the product is safely put away.
Take extra care with the following products:
- Cleaning products that can cause burns: oven cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, drain cleaners, and rust removers.
- Solvents like paint thinners, strippers, furniture refinishing solutions, lighter fluid, gasoline, kerosene, and turpentine.
- Any product meant to kill insects, animals, or plants.
- Medicines (including aspirin and other over-the-counter medications, which are the most common cause of poisoning deaths).
- Products a child or pet might drink, like antifreeze and windshield washer solution.
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Always follow the directions on the label except for directions
that say to put the product in the trash or to dump it down a drain.
Bring the product to the Household Hazardous Waste Center instead.
What if Poisoning Occurs?
The California Poison Control System (CPCS) is the statewide
provider of immediate, free and expert treatment advice and assistance
over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous, hazardous or toxic
substances. The SPCS is accessible toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, 365 days a year.
The Poison Action Line at 1-800-876-4766 is FAST, FREE and PRIVATE.
Or try California Poison Control.
American Association of Poison Control Centers is a good resource for information on how to prevent poisoningsSafe Storage
Store hazardous products in a dry location away from heat sources,
food, and medications and out of the reach of children and pets. Always
store products in their original containers—having the safety closure
and the product label is very important for your safety. If you have
flammable and corrosive products, store them in two separate places
(they are not compatible).
Earthquake Safety
Consider earthquake safety for your household chemical products. Two
things you can do to keep your family safe in the event of an
earthquake:
- SECONDARY CONTAINMENT Store products in “secondary containment”— a
solid plastic or metal container like a storage box, dish pan, or
cleaning caddy. That way, if the container falls over, the chemical
stays in one place.
- CHILD SAFETY LOCKS Put a child safety lock on the cabinet door.
Most child safety locks keep cabinets closed in an earthquake—keeping
your products on the shelves and away from your family and pets.
Think realistically about whether you plan to use your hazardous
products again soon. Why not drop them off at the City’s household
hazardous waste collection center? The centers stores reusable products
in a special cabinet where they are available (for FREE) for reuse.
Make a Smart Choice About Toxics:
Signal Words: Look for the label signal word (Caution,
Warning, Danger or Poison). Choose products labeled “Caution” over
“Warning”; avoid products labeled “Danger”.
- Choose These: Choose products with label statements such as:
non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-petroleum based, free of ammonia,
phosphates, dye or perfume, readily biodegradable, non-fuming and
recyclable container.
- Purchase only what you need: Even if there is a price break for large quantities.
- Read Labels: Read the label thoroughly and follow label
instructions exactly for proper dilution, application, and precautions
such as eye and skin protection and proper ventilation.
- Hazardous Waste Center: If you have leftover product, bring
them to the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Center for reuse,
recycling or disposal. This service is free to Santa Monica residents.
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Last updated: Wednesday, 04/29/2009
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The Household Hazardous Waste Center is celebrating 21 years of service – and to make it official, a mural project was unveiled along with a new modular office space made out of used shipping containers. Yes, that’s right, shipping containers.
The mural was designed by Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center artist in residence, Juan Carlos Munoz Hernandez and several Teen Center youth. The intent was to create a flexible art piece to illustrate what comes into the HHW Center from the community, and to create an educational opportunity for the teen painters. It was a success. But don’t take our word for it. Come down and visit the center for yourself.
2500 Michigan Ave. just East of the 10 Freeway at Cloverfield
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