Nevertheless, reading the label first can save time, trouble, money and avert possible safety risks. Parents and teachers must decide at what age children are able to understand specific dangers and risks associated with hazardous household products. Guide children through the following exercise to provide a framework for responsible habits. Home Inventory of Household Products Direct students to walk through their homes making lists of household products whose labels include signal words indicating possible risks. Young children will need guidance and supervision from parents or older siblings.
Older students can complete the exercise on their own.
Review the lists in class. Discuss the following questions with the students. Special concern for child safety is only one part of preventing problems that can accompany the use of hazardous household products. Complacency or ignorance when using hazardous products can lead to a variety of health problems and death. Hazardous substances that end up in the environment can harm or kill humans and animals or contaminate food and water resources.