MONROE - Green County Emergency Management is asking area residents to properly store all lawn and household products that contain hazardous chemicals.
With the growing season coming to an end, officials recommend using up yard chemicals or giving them to someone who can use them and, ultimately, making sure they are properly stored during the winter.
According to the EPA, a typical household can have up to 100 pounds of hazardous products. If they are not used, stored and disposed of properly, they can be hazardous to a family's health and the environment. Improper storage of household products is the top reason children are poisoned, emergency management officials said.
There are thousands of common household products that contain at least one hazardous substance, including cleaners, automotive fluids, medicine, paint products, pool chemicals, lawn and garden care products, and some beauty products. Products that are hazardous have at least one of the following characteristics.
- Flammable: It can easily be set on fire.
- Corrosive or caustic: It can burn.
- Explosive or reactive: It can explode if exposed to heat, sudden shock or pressure.
- Toxic or poisonous: It can cause injury or death if it is eaten, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Officials recommend reading the product label for information on storage, disposal and ingredients. Look for the words "Danger" (most toxic), as well as "Warning" and "Caution" (least toxic).
Information about safe, alternative household cleaners can be found by visiting pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/ui289.pdf and www.epa. gov/osw/wycd/catbook/alt .htm.
The Wisconsin Department of Health also offers many poison prevention publications and tips at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/hometip. Wisconsin Poison also has resources at www.wisconsinpoison.org or by calling (800) 222-1222. This number can be called in the event of an accidental poisoning.
Green County Emergency Management also has brochures on safe storage of chemicals and other emergency planning.
The phone number is (608) 328-9416.
With the growing season coming to an end, officials recommend using up yard chemicals or giving them to someone who can use them and, ultimately, making sure they are properly stored during the winter.
According to the EPA, a typical household can have up to 100 pounds of hazardous products. If they are not used, stored and disposed of properly, they can be hazardous to a family's health and the environment. Improper storage of household products is the top reason children are poisoned, emergency management officials said.
There are thousands of common household products that contain at least one hazardous substance, including cleaners, automotive fluids, medicine, paint products, pool chemicals, lawn and garden care products, and some beauty products. Products that are hazardous have at least one of the following characteristics.
- Flammable: It can easily be set on fire.
- Corrosive or caustic: It can burn.
- Explosive or reactive: It can explode if exposed to heat, sudden shock or pressure.
- Toxic or poisonous: It can cause injury or death if it is eaten, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Officials recommend reading the product label for information on storage, disposal and ingredients. Look for the words "Danger" (most toxic), as well as "Warning" and "Caution" (least toxic).
Information about safe, alternative household cleaners can be found by visiting pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/ui289.pdf and www.epa. gov/osw/wycd/catbook/alt .htm.
The Wisconsin Department of Health also offers many poison prevention publications and tips at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/hometip. Wisconsin Poison also has resources at www.wisconsinpoison.org or by calling (800) 222-1222. This number can be called in the event of an accidental poisoning.
Green County Emergency Management also has brochures on safe storage of chemicals and other emergency planning.
The phone number is (608) 328-9416.