Pay attention to signal words
Signal words are the mandated warning labels on cleaning products and other items in your home. They range in severity with Danger: Poison being the most threatening to Caution carrying a warning of the least amount of hazard. Here’s the breakd0wn:
- Danger: Poison – if the skull and cross bones are present, you know you’re dealing with something hazardous. A drop or two could kill you, and using these products incorrectly (inhaling, putting them on the skin, etc.) could also cause serious damage.
- Danger – Slightly less hazard, but let’s emphasize slightly. If the label says Danger but not poison, then you’re dealing with something that could kill an adult with a few small drops, but whatever chemical is present hasn’t been saddled with the Poison designation.
- Warning – a teaspoon of it could kill an adult.
- Caution – this is much less toxic, but 2 tablespoons to a cup could still kill you.
Some other words you’ll find on labels are Flammable, Toxic, Carcinogen, Corrosive. They’re pretty much self-explanatory, and certainly not to be ignored. Read the labels of the items you keep in your house. It’s not really necessary to have any of the danger or poison items around for any period of time. Or if you do have to keep them, put them up high in the garage where little hands and rambunctious pet paws can’t accidentally get into them.
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