Hazardous Materials in the Home

A Hazardous Materials home tour   

Right now, in your home, there are probably dozens of hazardous materials that could be very dangerous if you have a fire or that could start a fire if they are used or stored improperly.    

Protect yourself and your family by becoming familiar with the hazardous materials in your home. And when using hazardous materials, be sure you have at least two unobstructed exits from the area that you are working.

Begin your tour in the bedroom - the last place you'd expect to find hazardous materials. Do you have any aerosol cans of hair spray, deodorant, or other personal care products? Aerosol hair spray and similar products are highly flammable, not because of the products themselves, but because of the flammable propellant gas. Never use them near a heat source or open flame. Aerosol cans can explode if exposed to high temperature. Never dispose of them in trash that will be burned (that includes apartment building incinerator systems). Nail polish is also flammable, as are many other fluids that give off strong vapors. Nail polish and polish remover, as well as cotton balls of tissues used to apply them, burn easily if exposed to flame. The vapors given off by mothballs can also be ignited. Mothball containers should be sealed tight.