ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SERIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Agriculture & Natural Resources

EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL 36849-5647
ANR-749, 1992, Jesse C. LaPrade, Extension Environmental Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Community Resource Development, Auburn University
Hazardous Material Storage In The Home

Storage of hazardous materials in the home is not safe; however, risks can be minimized by following several rules.

Hazardous Materials Defined

The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers a substance hazardous if it can catch fire, react or explode when mixed with other substances, is corrosive, or is toxic (poisonous).

This definition includes many things that you probably are storing right now in your garage, basement, bathroom, or kitchen. Some materials like paint thinner, charcoal lighter, and car batteries are pretty obvious, but there are many materials that you might not ordinarily think of, such as polishes, insecticides, toilet bowl cleaners, and glues.

 Storage

The safest way to deal with hazardous material in the home is to buy only what you need and use it according to label directions. If you must dispose of a hazardous material, refer to Alabama Cooperative Extension System Circular HE-623 for proper disposal instructions. All such materials that are stored in the home must be kept in a locked cabinet to prevent access by children. Medicines should be locked in a cabinet separate from all other hazardous material to prevent contamination from fumes released by pesticides, cleaning materials, and garage or automotive care products. Storage areas should also be separated from all food and pet/animal feeding areas. Flammable materials must be stored away from heat sources, open flame, or sparks to prevent accidental combustion.

Remember that the safest home environment is attained by not storing hazardous materials. However, risk is minimized by following proper storage procedures.

For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name for the number.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

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