The Hazard Symbols and What They Mean

Symbol / The Danger / Product Examples
Explosive
/ This container can explode if it's heated or punctured. Flying pieces of metal or plastic can cause serious injuries, especially to the eyes. /
  • water repellant for shoes or boots in an aerosol container
  • spray paint in an aerosol container

Corrosive
/ This product will burn skin or eyes on contact, or throat and stomach if swallowed. /
  • toilet bowl cleaner
  • oven cleaner

Flammable
/ This product, or its fumes, will catch fire easily if it's near heat, flames or sparks. /
  • contact adhesives
  • gasoline

Poison
/ Licking, eating, drinking, or sometimes smelling, this product will cause illness or death. /
  • windshield washer fluid
  • furniture polish

There are now only two frames used around the symbols:

Triangle
(inverted) / / This frame looks like a traffic yield sign.
It means that the container is dangerous.
Octagon
(eight sides) / / This frame looks like a traffic stop sign.
It means that the contents inside the
container are dangerous.

Each warning symbol also has one of these words under it.

CAUTION -- means a temporary injury may occur from improper use of the product. Death may occur after extreme exposure.

DANGER -- means that the product may cause temporary or permanent injury, or death.

EXTREMEDANGER -- means that being exposed to even a very low quantity of the product may cause death, or temporary or permanent injury. Be very, very careful.

Test your knowledge of common home health hazards in this five-question, five-minute quiz!

  1. What is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking?
  2. Carbon monoxide
  3. Dust
  4. Radon gas
  5. Cat hair

Answer C - Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon gas is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can't see, smell or taste it - the only way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home.

  1. What is the safest cooking use of hot water from the tap?
  2. Hot beverages, like tea or instant coffee
  3. In a pot, to get water to boil faster on the stove
  4. To mix instant cereal
  5. None of the above

Answer D - Hot water from house pipes increases the leaching of lead in your water. To reduce exposure to lead, have your water tested and do not use hot water from taps to make hot beverages, to mix instant cereal or to get water to boil faster on the stove.

  1. Where is the best place to install a carbon monoxide detector?
  2. Outside the main sleeping areas
  3. In the living room
  4. In the basement
  5. In the kitchen

Answer A - Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful gas that has no colour, smell or taste. When you breathe in CO, it reduces your body's ability to carry oxygen in the blood. Install a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) CO detector in hallways outside of sleeping areas.

  1. If you find visible signs of mould in your home, what should you do?
  2. Remove it with soap and water
  3. Find the source of the moisture that allowed it to grow and fix it
  4. Both (a) and (b)
  5. Soak it with bleach

Answer C - Mould growth in a house may cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions in some people. Find the cause and fix it, then clean up the mould with soap and water. You don't need bleach.

  1. What's the first sign that your music or other electronic noise is too loud?
  2. When it makes your ears ring
  3. When you can't understand someone shouting who is a metre away
  4. When people from two postal codes away complain about the racket
  5. None of the above

Answer B - The regular use of some consumer products, such as sound-making toys and personal stereo devices at very loud levels, can lead to permanent hearing loss over time. Limit your exposure to loud noise.

Wash Your Hands Often

  • Washing your hands often helps to prevent infection and reduce exposure to harmful substances. Washing hands is especially important before every meal.
  • To clean your hands thoroughly, scrub with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
  • When it's not possible to wash with soap and water, an alcohol-based sanitizer is a good choice.

Kitchen

  • Are knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp tools in a drawer with a childproof latch?
  • Have you installed a dishwasher lock so kids can't reach breakable dishes, knives, and other dangerous objects?
  • Have you installed a stove lock and have knob protectors been placed on the stove knobs?
  • Are chairs and stepstools positioned away from the stove?
  • When cooking, are all pot handles on the stove turned inward or placed on back burners where your child can't reach them?
  • Are glass objects and appliances with sharp blades stored out of reach?
  • Is the garbage can behind a cabinet door with a childproof latch?
  • Are all appliances unplugged when not in use, with cords out of reach?
  • Are all vitamin or medicine bottles stored in a high cabinet far from reach?
  • Are matches and lighters stored in a locked cabinet?
  • Is the cabinet under the sink free of cleaning supplies, bug sprays, dishwasher detergent, and dishwashing liquids? And are these supplies out of the reach of children?
  • Are any bottles containing alcohol stored out of reach?
  • Are all plastic garbage bags and sandwich bags out of reach?
  • Are any cords or wires from wall telephones out of reach?
  • Are refrigerator magnets and other small objects out of reach?
  • Are childproof latches installed on all cabinet doors?
  • Is there a working fire extinguisher?
  • Does the child's highchair have a safety belt with a strap between the legs?

Electrical

  • Are all unused outlets covered with safety plugs?
  • Are all major electrical appliances grounded?
  • Have cord holders been used to keep longer cords fastened against walls?
  • Have you checked for and removed other potential electrical fire hazards, such as overloaded electrical sockets and electrical wires running under carpets?
  • Are televisions, computers, and stereo equipment positioned against walls?

Heating & Cooling Elements

  • Are all radiators and baseboard heaters covered with childproof screens if necessary?
  • Have gas fireplaces been secured with a valve cover or key?
  • Do all working fireplaces have a screen and other barriers in place when in use?
  • Have any chimneys been cleaned recently?
  • Are all electric space heaters at least 3 feet (91 centimeters) from beds, curtains, or anything flammable?

Emergency Equipment & Numbers

  • Have you placed a list of emergency phone numbers near each phone in your home?
  • Are there fire extinguishers installed on every floor and in the kitchen?
  • Do you have an emergency ladder for the upper floors of your home?
  • Are there smoke detectors on each floor of your home?
  • Have smoke detectors been installed in the hallways between all bedrooms of your home?
  • Have you tested all smoke detectors within the last month?
  • Have you changed the batteries in the smoke detectors within the past 6 months?
  • If you cook with or heat your home with natural gas or have an attached garage, have you considered installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home?