Do you use chemicals in your home? Most people use hazardous chemicals every day
without thinking about it.

Common household chemicals

Common chemicals include:

• Paint, solvents and paint strippers.
• Wood preservatives.
• Glues.
• Garden chemicals.
• Pesticides.
• Fertilisers.
• Petrol, oil and other vehicle products.
• Toilet and drain cleaners.
• Kitchen and oven cleaners.
• Pool chemicals.
• Bleach and disinfectants.
• Batteries.
• Furniture and shoe polish.
• Nail polish and nail polish remover.

Why are these products hazardous?

They can harm people and the environment because they are:

• Toxic (poisonous).
• Flammable.
• Corrosive or caustic (cause burns).
• Chemically reactive.

If you have these chemicals in your home, they must be:

• Stored properly.
• Labelled accurately.
• Disposed of safely.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Do your bit for our environment

• Buy environmentally friendly products - look out for the New Zealand Environmental Choice logo.
• Only buy what you need and read the label first to avoid highly toxic products.
• Share left-overs with neighbours, friends or community groups to ensure products are being used efficiently.
• Find safe substitutes - this booklet will help you to do this and gives helpful hints on easy alternatives to using chemicals!

Safe storage

• Store in a dry place, away from heat or flames.
• Keep product in original container.
• Re-label if necessary.
• Keep tightly closed.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Safe use

• Always follow directions on the package.
• Use all the product if possible but do not use more than recommended by the
  manufacturer.
• Do not mix products.

Safe disposal

• Never pour chemicals down the sink, stormwater drain or onto the ground.
• Do not put hazardous materials out with your household rubbish.
• Reuse or recycle where possible.
• Take unwanted hazardous chemicals to a household hazardous waste drop-off
  facility.