Cleaning chemicals can be very dangerous not just to young children and pets, but also to adults, mostly because of their properties. As the first line of defence, you should always keep your cleaning chemicals locked up in a cupboard away from child or pet access. This is needed in every household as a basic precaution because the results of child or pet curiosity can often be catastrophic.
Oxidising and Corrosive Chemicals
Many chemicals are corrosive or oxidising to the touch. Basically, this means that if any human flesh gets in contact with the chemical, it will cause a severe burn by eating away at the skin, muscle and in extreme emergencies even down to the bone. It is very important to wear thick, corrosion and oxidisation-immune gloves when working with chemicals such as this. Eye goggles are also necessary to prevent anything getting in your eyes and in some cases, it may even be advisable to wear full protective gear or to be extremely careful with splashing.
Flammable Chemicals
Cleaning chemicals that are highly flammable or volatile should be kept far away from any source of heat. Be aware of the internal temperature of any cupboard or cabinet that you are storing chemicals in. A very hot and humid environment has the potential to cause cans and bottles to explode or crack, creating disastrous and sometimes extremely dangerous results. Keep chemicals in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
If there are sources of heat and flame, then never use chemicals.
Working With Fresh Air
One of the principles of working with any cleaning chemicals is to open as many doors and windows as possible in your home beforehand. This will allow fresh air to circulate, removing harmful chemicals as well as stale air from your indoor environment. In the long term, this will promote healthy breathing and eliminate respiratory problems for your family.
