The world is a dangerous place… well, your home certainly is

The world is a dangerous place, folks – and all too often it’s the hidden hazards that catch us off guard.

Sure, we’re adults. We pay our rent on time, know it’s a good idea to separate lights and darks before putting on a wash, and have come to realise that a decent breakfast before a wedding is absolutely mandatory.

Yet despite achieving such great milestones, it’s also all too easy to become complacent and slip back into ridiculousness again.

Singed skin from a hair straightner? Oh yes, very much so. Eating out-of-date coleslaw? Sadly true. Juice-detoxing? Don’t even ask.

But while living on liquidised vegetables for 72 hours mightn’t kill us (we think), there are very real risks present in pretty much every home.

Bleach and oven cleaners, after all, are chemicals – as are the likes of paints, glues, oils, and weed-killers. Of course, most chemicals you use at home aren’t dangerous – if you use them properly, that is.

Thankfully – tah-dah! – labels can help you identify the more hazardous chemicals and advise you on how to use them safely; meaning, it’s really important that you always read the back of your household products.

There you will see hazard symbols which will tell you if the chemical is potentially dangerous. The rules for these symbols have changed recently, so you may see old and new symbols on the products you are buying. Some of the more common symbols are:

In short, when using chemicals in the home, it is important to always read the label and follow the instructions.

And it’s also best to heed the following:

• Only use as much of the product as you need
• If the product is dangerous, remove pets, children and their toys from the area
• Open windows
• Do not leave chemicals unattended
• Do not mix chlorine bleach and ammonia as this forms a highly toxic gas
• After using a chemical, wash any part of you that came in contact with the chemical

Never transfer chemicals into other containers (putting bleach into say, a 7UP bottle is clearly never, ever a good idea). Never store chemicals near food (obvs), and store anything hazardous away from children and pets (natch).

All of which should allow you get back to the busy task of being a responsible grown-up – and throwing out-of-date coleslaw in the bin.

If you, or a member of your family, swallow or come into contact with a dangerous chemical you must seek medical attention: National Poison Information Centre, 01 8092166 or poisons.ie. General queries can be directed to the Chemicals Helpdesk at the Health and Safety Authority on chemicals@hsa.ie or by calling 1890 289 389. For more information, click here.