«Dangerous Helpers»

The times when housewives washed dishes with mustard powder and baking soda, and clothes with ordinary soap, are long gone. Today, convenient and effective household chemicals are widely used in every home. Their popularity is steadily growing, and production is increasing. Thousands of packages of various chemical products are constantly appearing on store shelves. Cleaning, bleaching, and disinfecting agents, washing powders, adhesives, windshield washer fluids, varnishes, paints – you can't do without all of this in household chores. But it's important to remember that such seemingly harmless substances, if used incorrectly, can seriously harm you. And to prevent this from happening, you need to know how to handle them!

Reading the instructions on the packaging is a real "feat" for most, yet it's the first thing you should do. Don't be lazy, read all the recommendations carefully!

Store household chemicals separately from food products, away from heating systems, and most importantly, in places inaccessible to children. Every bottle or box must have a label. If you decide to transfer something to another container, don't rely on your memory; label everything. Do not leave household products open, as volatile or dusty chemical substances may evaporate into the air and enter the body through the respiratory tract, which can lead to poisoning.

One of the most common types of household chemicals is dishwashing detergents. They are not highly toxic, but they still pose a danger as they can get into food from clean plates, cups, and pots. To avoid this, feel free to dilute the detergent with water. Wash dishes thoroughly, not just rinse them under the tap. Caution should also be exercised when using washing powder, as it can create dust. It is better to pack open powder in a plastic bag or transfer it to an airtight container. Care is also needed when handling aerosol cans. Never heat them, as an explosion may occur. Do not disassemble empty packages or throw them into a fire. Such actions can lead to tragic consequences.

For example, a resident of the village of Karolino, Grodno region, became a victim of her own carelessness. The pensioner was burning garbage in a metal barrel in her backyard. Suddenly, an explosion occurred there, the cause of which, as it turned out, was a household chemical aerosol can. The owner, due to inattention, threw it into the barrel along with other junk. As a result of the incident, the woman sustained 1st-2nd degree burns to her body, legs, and forearm.

I would also like to specifically mention flammable liquids (FL), which are also present in almost every apartment. These include acetone, gasoline, varnishes, solvents, etc. If you must have them on hand, keep them only in small quantities. Do not store them in basements and ground floors, near heating appliances and gas stoves. Such substances should be stored in airtight containers in well-ventilated areas, in places where a child cannot find them. Containers with FL must be labeled!

When using household chemicals, do not forget about rubber gloves and respirators. After cleaning any surface, rinse it with plenty of water. Do not mix some substances with others, as a reaction may occur. Avoid contact of the products with skin and mucous membranes (mouth, eyes). If this does happen, quickly wash the affected areas with water. Use chemicals only for their intended purpose: do not wash dishes with laundry detergents. After working with household chemicals, wash your hands and ventilate the room. Do not create large reserves of chemical agents in the apartment!

Following all these recommendations is a guarantee that household chemicals will truly be reliable helpers for you, and not a source of potential health problems! Be careful! Be aware that you are using not just powders or liquids, but potentially dangerous chemical substances.

When using insecticides, remember:

- do not use them at night

- your mouth and nose should be covered with a gauze bandage or respirator, and your eyes with protective glasses

- dishes and food should be removed from the treated room

- people and pets should not be in the room

- do not eat, drink, or smoke while working with them

- after treatment, be sure to ventilate the apartment for several hours