If you're looking to move and think you may have some hazardous chemicals, you may not be able to take them with you. In a moving van, these items can pose a danger to your movers, their equipment and your goods. If these items spill and get on someone's hands, it can lead to a trip to the hospital or worse.
In addition to being a potential danger, movers won't transport hazardous chemicals, because they have to consider extreme situations and make sure they are not exposing themselves or their employees and vehicles to undue danger. Many moves, especially a cross-country relocation, can involve long periods spent on bumpy roads, altitude changes that can increase pressure on cans and tanks and collisions. In an overturned truck, a box full of chemicals could break open, leak or even mix to become another lethal substance.
Movers will not transport anything that can explode or is flammable:
- Anything in an aerosol can including hair spray and air freshener
- Propane tanks for your barbecue
- Fire extinguishers
- Motor oil
- Kerosene
- Paint thinner
- Alcohol
- Matches and lighters
TIP: If you have a wine collection, talk to your movers first.
Movers will not transport anything that is poisonous or corrosive:
- Indoor and garden pesticides
- Weed killers
- Any kind of battery, including car batteries
- Nail polish and nail polish remover
- Liquid chlorine bleach
- Pool chemicals
- Paint (latex or oil)
Movers will not transport items that are or can be used to make weapons:
- Guns
- Ammunition
- Fireworks
- Garden fertilizers
- Ammonia based cleaners
TIP: Review which chemicals cannot be moved with your mover.
If you're moving out and are trying to get rid of items you can't bring with you, it's important to learn the proper disposal methods.
Proper disposal methods for your safety and the safety of others
The environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that some specific wastes are hazardous, and these wastes are organized into three categories:
- F-list (non-specific source wastes): wastes from common manufacturing and industrial processes such as solvents that have been used in cleaning or degreasing operations
- K-list (source-specific wastes): wastes from industries such as petroleum refining or pesticide manufacturing such as sludge and wastewaters from treatment and production processes
- P-list and U-list (discarded commercial chemical products): commercial chemical products in an unused form, such as pesticides and pharmaceutical products
There are also:
- Characteristic wastes that do not meet any of the other criteria but exhibit ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity
- Universal wastes like batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment (thermostats) and lamps (fluorescent bulbs)
- Mixed wastes with radioactive and hazardous components
TIP: Leftovers household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients are household hazardous waste (HHW) and require special care.
Ways to properly dispose of hazardous materials
Disposing of hazardous materials properly is important for the safety of your family, family pets and the environment. Make sure to read how to rid your home of these products properly to avoid any future problems.
- Reduction
- Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients and look for alternatives to use
- Monitor the use, storage and disposal of products with potentially hazardous materials
- Use and store products containing hazardous materials carefully to prevent accidents at home
- Never mix household hazardous materials, because incompatible products might react, ignite or explode
- Collection
- See if your community collects HHW year-round or has exchange areas for unused paints, solvents, pesticides, cleaning and automotive products
- Check if your community has designated days for collecting solid waste at a central location to ensure safe management and disposal
- You may be able to drop off certain products at local businesses for recycling or proper disposal
- Disposal
- Certain HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers
- Waste can contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down toilets or drains
- Federal laws allow for the disposal of HHW in the trash
- The EPA encourages participation in community environmental disposal programs rather than discarding HHW in the trash
- Read product labels carefully for proper disposal directions to reduce risk of products exploding, igniting or leaking
- Give items away to family, friends or neighbors
- Dispose of them according to your town or city regulations
- Some moving companies have hazardous materials transport licenses, so talk to your mover and find out what your options are
Taking the time to dispose of these items properly will help keep your home and your community clean and green. If you're driving to your new home, some items are safe enough to be transported by car. Others aren't. Use good judgment and help your movers get your move done safely.
Avoid improper dispose of hazardous materials, like
- Pouring them down the drain
- Pouring onto the ground
- Pouring into storm sewers
- Putting them out in the trash
The danger of improper disposal of these items might not seem obvious, but many of these items can pollute the environment. Consider these options when trying to dispose of hazardous materials from your home.
Common household hazards for children after moving in
It's imperative to take proper safety precautions and eliminate hazards in your home to ensure your little ones are free from danger as she crawls or wanders about.
Household chemicals play a role in our everyday lives. They lurk under cabinets and on shelves. Keep these hazardous household chemicals out of reach for your children -- both human and fur babies!
- Cleaning products:Products like glass, bathroom and kitchen cleaners often have hazardous chemicals in them that cut through dirt and grime. This is great for cleaning but dangerous if your child finds them. They often come in brightly colored boxes, bottles and liquids which can be attractive to your children.
- Items like detergent pods, bleach, scrubbing solutions and toilet cleaners should be stored in a cabinet that always remains locked
- Chemical cabinets should be outfitted with a child-proof lock
- Don't let older children watch you unfasten the lock or see what's inside the cabinet
- If locking the cabinet is not possible, keep them on a high shelf
- Outdoor maintenance chemicals: Insect repellents, paint solvents and polishes are all extremely hazardous to your child if they are ingested or come into contact with skin or eyes. Always purchase these items in child-proof containers and store them in a safe and secure place -- completely out of reach of your child's prying hands.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain killers (aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen), cold medicines, prescription drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins, ointments and diet pills are toxic but look like candy to children. Keeping your medicines out-of-reach, locked cabinet is the safest place to ensure your kids won't see them (and nosy pets won't sniff them out).
Poison control centers and exposure to HHW
If you or your child come in contact with any hazardous materials, call the poison control center in your area immediately. They will be able to provide you with expert advice on treating the exposure, such as irrigating the eyes or drinking milk.
TIP: For poison emergency in the United States, call 1-800-222-1222 for the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Every parent strives to create a warm and loving sanctuary for his or her child. Your home is the place for cuddly naps and rambunctious play-- but for a curious baby or toddler, it can also be dangerous. It's imperative to take proper safety precautions and eliminate hazards in your home to ensure your little one is free from danger as she crawls or wanders about.
Common household hazards for pets after moving in
In addition to the hazards to children listed above, pets might also be susceptible to the following:
- Insect repellents: Some over-the-counter flea and tick remedies can make your pet sick. Obtaining prescription products from your veterinarian is a much safer method.
- Human food: Your cat or dog may often beg for a morsel of people food but allowing your furry friend to indulge in certain treats can be dangerous. Foods that can be harmful or even poisonous to your pets include:
- Onions and onion powder
- Garlic
- Alcoholic beverages
- Yeast dough
- Coffee grounds and beans
- Salt
- Macadamia nuts
- Walnuts
- Tomato
- Potato
- Rhubarb
- Grapes
- Mushrooms
- Avocados
- Mustard
- Chocolate
- Plants: Household plants and flowers can liven up any room but beware of the variety you choose. Pets love to chew on greenery, and there are many types that can be poisonous. Plants to stay away from include:
- Mistletoe
- Poinsettia
- Azalea
- Holly
- Lily of the valley
- Philodendron
- Rubber band and string: Loose rubber bands, bits of string, yarn, ribbon or dental floss can all pose choking hazards for your pet. Leaving these items on the floor or strewn across an easily accessible surface could result in your pet suffering intestinal blockages or choking to death. Be vigilant about cleaning up after wrapping gifts, pulling rubber bands from your newspapers, flossing your teeth, knitting or any other activity that involves string.
- Wires and holiday decorations: Dangling wires are attractive chew toys to your furry companion. To prevent your pet from chomping down on wires from your holiday lights, appliances, computer and other electronic equipment, conceal them behind furniture or in other pet-free zones. Always unplug chargers or other wires when not in use. You can also tape the wires to the wall or other surface to eliminate the tempting dangling appeal, which is what prompts your pet to chew.
- Blinds: Dangling cords on your blinds can pose strangulation risks to your pet. Cats in particular enjoy batting these cords playfully. To protect your cat from danger, tuck the blind strings on top of the blinds to keep them out of reach. You can also install window cleats to keep the cord out of your pet's reach, attach safety tassels at the ends or opt for cordless window coverings.
- Candles: Burning candles can fill the room with a lovely aroma and create a relaxing ambiance. However, if your pet knocks the candle over, gets too close or wags a tail near the flame, it can result in severe damage to your home and potentially life-threatening injury to your beloved companion. When lighting candles, it's not safe to leave them unsupervised. Always remain in the room with a lit candle and keep them on surfaces to which your pet has limited access.