Hazardous Products

Hazardous products mean those products which contain some material which may be harmful to human health if inhaled or consumed. There are number of household items which contain hazardous materials. Such type of items should be kept out of reach of everybody, especially keep the children in mind while storing such type of items. These items should always be stored in a locked cabinet and also care should be taken while using them.
Before you purchase any item which may contain hazardous material, carefully read the label on the item. For your guidance listed below are some of the points, you may find on the label.

• If the label is in scripted with words like, Poison and Danger, it means the product is having highest hazard levels. The real meaning of poison is that the product is highly toxic, and may result in injury or even death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
•  The exact meaning of word danger written on the label is that the product is either highly toxic or flammable, or corrosive. You should specially look for the word danger on the products such as cleaners, polishes, paint strippers and pesticides. Danger means the product could poison you, cause serious damage to your skin or eyes, or easily cause a fire.
• If the label is written with the words Warning and Caution, this is the indication the product is toxic, corrosive, reactive or flammable. 
• If the label of a product don’t have any of these warnings it means that the product is less hazardous

A hazardous product can be categorized in to four main categories. These are toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive. A hazardous product may contain one, more than one or all the effects.

Toxic: Toxic products are either poisonous or result in long-term illness. The toxic products may include Pesticides, paint thinners, some auto products and some cleaners. Generally the labels of toxic products contain the following warnings:

• Harmful or fatal if consumed.
• To be used only in a well-ventilated area.

Flammable: Flammable products mean they can catch fire very easily. In a household one can find many products of this nature. These products may include Auto products, Paint, thinners, nail polish remover and other solvents. The label of flammable item will have the following warning on it

• Not to be used near heat or flame.
• Combustible
• During the use of this product, do not smoke.

Corrosive: corrosive products mean the products which cause corrosion on the materials. Some of the corrosive items are oven cleaners, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and auto batteries are common corrosive products. The label of corrosive products usually contains the following warnings:

• Causes severe burns on contact.
• Can burn eyes, skin, and throat.

Reactive: Reactive products can instantly ignite or produce poisonous vapors when mixed with other products, or can explode when exposed to heat, air, water or shock. There are some consumer products on the market at present also which can be considered explosive. In some homes one can also find the older explosive products.

• Look for the word "danger" on cleaners, polishes, paint strippers and pesticides. "Danger" means the product could poison you, cause serious damage to your skin or eyes, or easily cause a fire.
• Warning and Caution both indicate that a product is toxic, corrosive, reactive or flammable
• Products that don't have any of these words on the label are least hazardous

A hazardous product is toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive.

Toxic products are either poisonous or causes long-term illness. Pesticides, paint thinners, many auto products and some cleaners are toxic. Products that are toxic usually contain the following warnings:

• Harmful or fatal if swallowed.
• Use only in a well-ventilated area

Flammable products burn easily. Auto products, Paint, thinners, nail polish remover and other solvents, are the most flammable products found in the home. Products that are flammable usually contain the following warnings

• Do not use near heat or flame.
• Combustible
• Do not smoke while using this product.

Corrosive products eat through materials. Oven cleaners drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and auto batteries are common corrosive products. Products that are corrosive usually contain the following warnings:

• Causes severe burns on contact.
• Can burn eyes, skin, and throat.

Reactive products can spontaneously ignite or create poisonous vapors when mixed with other products, or can explode when exposed to heat, air, water or shock. There are few consumer products still on the market that are explosive. Some older explosive products might still be stored in homes.