Safe-keeping advice: Storing dangerous or hazardous materials

Sometimes, people need to store dangerous or hazardous materials in their houses. When such materials need to be stored domestically, it is very important that they are stored properly. Not only could improper storage of hazardous materials injure people, but it could also lead to fines and penalties being issued. The government does not look kindly upon people who risk other people’s lives by not storing dangerous materials and chemicals properly.

But how are you supposed to store dangerous or hazardous materials in your home? This post will answer that question for you.

Storage tanks

If you are storing chemicals in your house, then you need to make sure that you have proper storage tanks. The best type of tank for chemical storage is double wall tanks, which can keep your chemicals safe, and prevent them from leaking out or spilling. Such tanks can be expensive but are a worthwhile investment. If you are storing dangerous materials (that aren’t chemicals) then you should still invest in large tanks or containers for them, so they don’t injure anybody or cause damage.

Avoiding sunlight

Whether you are storing dangerous chemicals or hazardous materials, you need to keep them out of sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can cause damage to chemicals or materials, even causing them to become more dangerous, and burn through their storage tanker.  You should always store dangerous materials in cupboards or basements, where they get no sun exposure. This is for your safety, and for your neighbor’s safety. Chemical leaks won’t just affect you. If the chemicals you are storing get out, then they could lead to your entire neighborhood being closed off by the police until the fumes have subsided, and it is safe for people to return.

Labeling containers

When you are storing dangerous materials at home, you need to make sure that their storage containers are properly labeled. Not labeling them is actually a crime in some places. Also, if you have a lot of containers stored in your house, not labeling them could lead to you confusing dangerous materials for other things. You can buy stickers online, which you can stick straight on your containers. There are different types of labels for different materials, so research what your specific material’s label should be, and then order that. Stick two or three labels on each container.

Dedicated cupboards

Once you have stored chemicals or materials inside containers, you then need to make sure that the containers are stored inside locked cupboards. This is so that the containers do not get confused for anything else, although if you do apply stickers, then this should not be a problem.  It is important to store containers inside cupboards so that they don’t get knocked over or put in the way of direct sunlight. If you have a basement, then you can store your containers down there. An alternative to a cupboard or basement is an outhouse if you have one.

Unheated areas

Temperature control is also something to think about. Some chemicals and materials can become very unstable when they reach certain temperatures. If you have an outhouse and the weather’s very hot where you live, then you should perhaps consider storing your containers indoors, ideally in the coolest part of your house. If possible, then you should invest in an air-conditioning unit. Alternatively, if you store dangerous materials inside your house and you have the heating cranked all the way up all day, then you need to rethink this and start storing them outdoors, where it’s cooler.

Children and pets

Make sure you store hazardous and dangerous chemicals and materials away from your children and pets, in labeled, sealed containers.  If you do not store chemicals inside containers, in locked cupboards, then pets or children could get into them, and hurt themselves (or worse).  You may want to consider building an outhouse in your garden if you have to store a lot of chemicals but have children and pets. Children and pets can be very inquisitive and can get themselves into very dangerous situations without knowing. Even if you label containers if they aren’t somewhere safe your children could still interfere with them. Exposure to chemicals could make your children and pets unwell.

Avoiding spillages

Finally, make sure that the containers you store chemicals in are sealed. Sometimes, people store chemicals in lidless containers. A lidless container, if knocked, could spill chemicals all over the floor, which could be very dangerous.  Ensure your containers are all tightly sealed so this does not happen.

Storing chemicals in your house is safe, as long as you take the proper precautions. This post outlines everything you need to consider. Do not take shortcuts when it comes to chemical storage, because this could lead to you or others becoming injured.

31/10/2022