Harmful Household Products

You may be surprised to learn that commonly used household and automotive products can be harmful to you, your family, city workers, and the environment if improperly stored, used, or discarded. In the home, accidental swallowing or improper use of products can cause severe illness and even death. The NYC Poison Control Center receives over 35,000 calls each year concerning unintentional poisonings, most involving children under the age of five.

Automotive products and household products like cleaners, paint, and pesticides can also be dangerous after they are thrown away. If improperly discarded, sanitation workers can suffer eye, respiratory, and burn injuries.

Before buying, using, or discarding potentially harmful products, consider the following.

Read the label. Read labels and look for signal words — DANGER, POISON, WARNING, CAUTION — that indicate the level of hazard. Products labeled DANGER or POISON are most hazardous. Pay attention to other messages on the label such as “causes burns on contact,” “vapors harmful,” or “extremely flammable.” Learn to recognize these phrases and take them seriously.

Follow product instructions. More is not better — you won’t get twice the results by using twice as much. Use products only as directed and only when necessary.

Store potentially harmful products out of the reach of children. Use child-proof cabinet locks.

Post emergency phone numbers (fire, medical assistance, poison control center) by your phone and teach children how to use them.

Call for help in case of poisoning. If you think a family member (or pet!) has been exposed to a harmful product, call the NYC Poison Control Center Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. The Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information on reducing the use and potential risks associated with specific potentially harmful products, visit:

AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS
antifreeze
car batteries
motor oil

HOUSHEHOLD PRODUCTS
cleaning products
computers and electronics
fluorescent bulbs
household batteries
paint
pesticides
thermostats

HOUSEHOLD MEDICAL PRODUCTS
syringes and lancets
thermometers
unwanted medications

PRESSURIZED GAS TANKS
barbecue propane tanks
disposable helium tanks
fire extinguishers
other gas cylinders

See reducing workplace toxics in waste less at agencies & schools for more information, including details on the chemical constituents of various cleaning, automotive, and paint products.

Additional information about identifying toxic products and safer alternatives can also be found in the NYC Department of Sanitation publication Safeguard Your Home from Harmful Products and in resources.

New York City residents may bring their excess toxic products and certain other hazardous household materials, such as mercury-filled thermostats and thermometers, to NYC Department of Sanitation's Special Waste Drop-Off Sites in each borough.

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