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Figure 1: Globally Harmonized System for classifying and labeling chemicals. Wikipedia

To help everyone be aware of the possibility that products might be harmful when they are not used properly, a system of warning symbols has been developed. These symbols are called hazardous household product symbols. In this activity, you will learn more about these product symbols.

You probably use many household chemical products in and around your home and garage. You may even use them at school in your science lessons. These products may include cleaning liquids and powders, polishes, drain cleaners, paint thinners, and windshield washer fluids. These types of products can be dangerous and cause burns, fires, poisonings, and explosions. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of the hazardous household product symbols (HHPS).

Figure 2: Cleaning products. Wikipedia

Hazard symbols, or warning symbols, are recognizable symbols designed to warn about hazardous materials. Hazard symbols may appear with different colours, backgrounds, borders, and additional information in order to specify the type of hazard.

Each hazard symbol shows two pieces of information.

1. Hazard symbols are in three shapes.

A yellow triangle means "caution." This means you need to be careful with the product.

An orange diamond means "warning." The product is more dangerous than the one inside the triangle.

A red octagon means "danger." This product must be handled with great care. It could be harmful if the directions are not followed.

2. Inside the shape is a picture that tells what the hazard is.

Flammable means that the product can easily catch fire or burn very quickly.

Toxic means the product could kill or poison someone who swallows it, absorbs it through the skin, or breathes it in.

Explosive means that the product may explode if handled improperly. It could react with air, water, or other substances and release toxic fumes or explode.

Irritant means that the product will irritate (burn or itch) on your skin, in your eyes, or inside your nose.

Corrosive means that the product "eats away" at whatever it touches (including skin), such as what road salt does to your vehicle in the winter.

Biological means the product may contain an infectious disease. For example, you will likely see this symbol on the container you are given when providing a urine sample for a medical lab.

Electrical means that you may get an electrical shock if you do not handle the device carefully.

All symbols courtesy of publicdomainvectors.org

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