Store Lawn & Garden Chemicals Safely

If you happened to find yourself in my garden shed years ago, it would look a lot different than it does today. Back then, the shelves were a storehouse for every pesticide, herbicide, fungicide and fertilizer a gardener like me, in pursuit of the perfect landscape, would have on hand to handle any real or potential problem.

Over the years, I’ve come around 180 degrees and my desire for the picture perfect garden has long since waned, yielding to more time and earth-friendly ways. Now my shed is not only cleaner, it’s safer too. Unfortunately in our haste, we sometimes forget that improperly stored chemicals can have lethal consequences. Safe storage of pesticides (including all lawn and garden liquids) is paramount to the protection of humans, animals and the environment.

Store chemicals safely

Perhaps you know of a case firsthand. A child is poisoned because she drank from a familiar container such as a soda bottle, coffee cup or glass jar; something they thought contained juice, soda or milk. Instead, it was being used improperly to hold a pesticide. Sadly the results can be fatal.

Of course these are extreme cases, but unfortunately they happen all too frequently. I’ve personally known of several such instances. What makes stories like this even harder is that they were easily preventable. In no case should any chemical be stored, even for a moment, in a container other than the one it originally came in. Fortunately there are a number of precautions we can take to ensure accidents like those described don’t happen under our watch.

Follow all storage instructions listed on packaging and labels and keep the national Poison Control phone number handy at all times 1.800.222.1222. The following are some suggestions from The Penn State Pesticide Education Program of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

• Always store pesticides in their original containers. In addition to the proper identification of the contents, important safely information specific to that product is listed on the container. Such information includes what to do if accidental poisoning takes place, emergency contact numbers and necessary first aid steps.

• Keep pesticides stored out of reach of children and pets. When possible, store them in a locked but ventilated cabinet. Even if you don’t have children, you never know when a curious person may happen upon them. Be safe and take the path of caution.

• Pesticides should never be stored in the same location as food, medical supplies or animal feed

• Never transfer pesticides to soft drink bottles or other containers, including milk jugs, juice or water bottles or coffee cups. It is easy for children and even adults to confuse them for something to drink or eat.

• Use child-resistant packaging correctly. Be sure to close containers tightly and properly after use. Just because a product says ‘resistant’, that does not make if child-proof. These products should receive the same care and caution when storing as any other.

• Don’t stockpile chemicals. Only buy what you will use that session or season. The less pesticide remaining after it is needed, the lower the risk of accidents.

• Pesticides should be stored away from places where flooding is possible or where spills or leaks could run into drains, surface water or water sheds.

• Pesticides that are flammable liquids should be stored away from the living area or where there is any risk of sparks such as with gas grills, furnaces and power lawn equipment.

• Never store pesticides in the application equipment. To avoid the problem of having excess product, only mix what is needed for that application. If excess mixture remains after application, apply where appropriate to other parts of your property.

• When in doubt as to the identity of a product or container, do not use. Be sure to dispose of it properly.

Following these suggested guidelines will go a long way towards protecting others from unwanted accidents and unintentional poisonings.