Chemical Emergencies

Disasters can occur outside and inside the home.

Poisonous chemicals are a danger to anyone that's around them. By breathing, swallowing or touching the chemical, disastrous results can happen.

Though Nationwide^® can't protect your family against chemical emergencies, they can help you prepare for them.

Plan ahead

The most effective way to prevent chemical emergencies is to plan ahead. By taking steps now to ensure your family's safety, you'll reduce the number of accidents that occur.

The most common chemical emergency involves small children eating medicines. The easiest way to reduce this common mistake is to keep chemicals out of sight and reach.

Second, accidents can occur if you improperly store and use the chemicals.

• Never store hazardous products near food containers
  
• Keep products in the original container, and never remove labels unless they're corroding
  
• Always read the directions before using a new product
  
• Buy only as much chemical as you think you can use
  
• Dispose of chemicals properly. Check to see if your community has a local household hazardous waste collection facility
  
• Avoid mixing common household chemical products
  
• Never smoke while using chemicals
  
• Don't use hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products or pesticides near an open flame
  
• If you spill a chemical, wipe it up with rags and protect your eyes and skin. Allow the fumes to evaporate outdoors and then dispose of the rags by wrapping them in newspaper and sealing them in a plastic bag
  
  

Act quickly, but don't panic

If a chemical emergency were to occur, acting quickly is the best way to reduce the harmful effects. 

If you or your child swallows a chemical:

• Call the Poison Control Center
• Don't take anything by mouth unless instructed to do so

 If a chemical touches you:

• Remove all your clothing and other items in contact with your body. Don't take the clothing off over your head; instead, cut it off to reduce the risk of it touching your face. Put contaminated items in a bag and seal it.
  
  
• Clean your hands using soap and water.
  
  
• Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in household bleach to decontaminate them, rinse and dry.
  
  
• Flush eyes with water.
  
  
• Wash face and hair with soap and water.
  
  
• Blot (don't swab or scrape) other body areas that came in contact with the poison with a cloth soaked in soapy water and rinse with clear water.
  
  
• Change into uncontaminated clothing.
  
  

If there's a major chemical emergency:

• Find shelter in an internal room, one without windows and on the highest level
  
• Seal off your windows with plastic and duct tape
  
• Stuff rags around the cracks in your doors
  
• Listen to the radio and television alert systems
  
• Close doors and windows and turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents, and fans
  
• If caught outside, move immediately upwind
  
  

This information is meant to help you make decisions that may reduce your risk. Of course, we can't note every possible risk, and we can't guarantee that these tips will work for you. However, we hope that if you use some of them, you'll better protect your family and yourself.

Contact your insurance agent to make sure you're properly covered if a catastrophe strikes.

Is a chemical emergency happening in your area?