EPA Urges Parents to Keep Household Chemicals Secured

More than 10,000 accidental exposures per year involve mouse and rat poisons, according to the agency.

During National Poison Prevention Week, March 17-23, the Environmental Protection Agency is urging parents and caregivers to secure pesticides and other household chemicals in locked cabinets so they are out of the reach of children.

"Poison Prevention Week is a time to raise awareness and strengthen prevention efforts to empower parents and caregivers with information about simple steps that can be taken to prevent poisonings," said James Jones, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "EPA continues to take action to help prevent these risks to children and help ensure that the products on the market are both safe and effective for consumers. Our recent move to ban the sale of 12 D-Con mouse and rat poison products produced by Reckitt Benckiser Inc is a prime example of our commitment."

Under new EPA safety standards, consumer-use mouse and rat poison products must include a protective tamper-resistant bait station.

More than 90 percent of poisonings happen in people's homes. EPA's tips to stay safe are:

  • Always store pesticides and other household chemical products in a locked cabinet.
  • To protect children and pets from exposure to mouse and rat poison, use products with a tamper-resistant bait station.
  • Go through your home room by room to see where there are potential poisoning hazards and correct them.
  • Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container tightly after use.
  • Never transfer pesticides and other household chemical products to containers that may be mistaken for food or drink containers.
  • Program the Poison Help Center number, 1-800-222-1222, into your phone.

A list of rat and mouse products that meet EPA's safety standards is avaialble here.

Product Showcase

  • Full Line of Defense Against Combustible Dust Nilfisk

    Nilfisk provides a comprehensive range of industrial vacuums meticulously crafted to adhere to NFPA 652 housekeeping standards, essential for gathering combustible dust in Class I, Group D, and Class II, Groups E, F & G environments or non-classified settings. Our pneumatic vacuums are meticulously engineered to fulfill safety criteria for deployment in hazardous surroundings. Leveraging advanced filtration technology, Nilfisk ensures the secure capture of combustible materials scattered throughout your facility, ranging from fuels, solvents, and metal dust to flour, sugar, and pharmaceutical powders. Read More

  • The MGC Simple Plus

    The MGC Simple Plus is a simple-to-use, portable multi gas detector that runs continuously for three years without being recharged or routinely calibrated after its initial charge and calibration during manufacturing. The detector reliably tests a worksite’s atmosphere for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, oxygen and combustible gases (LEL). Its durability enables the detector to withstand the harshest treatment and environments, hence earning it an IP 68 rating. The MGC Simple Plus is also compatible with a variety of accessories, such as the GCT External Pump. Visit gascliptech.com for more information. Read More

  • SECUPRO MARTEGO

    FOR HIGHEST DEMANDS. A cutting tool in which function and design go hand in hand. Meet the SECUPRO MARTEGO, our prize-winning squeeze-grip safety knife with fully automatic retractable blade for safety. • Ergonomically friendly trigger mechanism to engage the blade • Durable body made of aluminum • Safer alternative to fixed blade utility knives for general cutting tasks • 9 mm Cutting depth • Easy, tool free blade change Dimensions: L 6.10" L x 0.71" W x 1.91" H Weight: 3.70 oz Cutting Depth: 9 mm Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars