c 6

Module 35

Science and Health

Health
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN BUYING, USING,
STORING AND DISPOSING HOUSEHOLD
MATERIALS

A Ded-BEAM Distance Learning Program supported by the Australian Agency for International Development
 To the Learner

Good Day!

Observe safety precautions in the storage and proper

disposal of materials used at home

Let’s Learn This

The materials found at home are very useful and important. They
became useful when you know how to use them and where to keep
them safely. However, if they are not handled properly, they become
dangerous and may cause accident.

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 Let’s Try This

Write TRUE if the statements is correct and FALSE in incorrect.

______1. Smell and taste unknown materials before using them.

______2. Read labels before using chemicals.
______3. Cover food condiments tightly.
______4. Hold Muriatic Acid with your bare hands.
______5. Wash your hands after using Chemicals.

Let’s Study This

HERE ARE SOME SAFETY PRECUATIONS IN USING MATERIALS

• Only food should be tasted, never attempt to taste unknown

materials
• Read labels and instructions on containers before using any
materials
• Avoid using expired canned goods, medicines and other
packed foods.
• Wash your hands after using chemicals.
• Wear safety gloves if your skin is sensitive to strong
detergents or when using cleaning materials containing acid.
• Wear protective goggles or mask when using chemicals.
• Hold the chemicals away from your eyes.
• Always use a spoon for transferring solid chemicals and
dropper for liquids.
• Prepare clean rags for wiping up spilled chemicals.
• Medicines should not be taken in carelessly especially by
children.
• Never play with flammable materials.

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THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME USEFUL TIPS IN STORING MATERIALS

Lysol, acids, bleach, pesticides, kerosene and other dangerous

chemicals must be properly labeled and sealed. If possible put
appropriate symbols for danger on the container such as symbols
below.

• Avoid using empty food container to store chemicals

• Chemicals such as cleansing agents must not be
placed/stored together with any food items.
• Chemicals should be stored in a cabinet beyond the reach of
the children.
• Combustible materials such as lacquer thinner, kerosene
and other petroleum products should be kept away from the
stove to prevent fire.
• Materials for food preparation and food condiments should
be tightly closed and stored separately from cleaning
materials. Keep them in a dry place

FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF MATERIALS:

• Separate wet from dry

garbage
• Recyclable materials such
as tin cans, newspapers,
plastic bags and bottles
should be placed in
separate containers
• Label expire medicines
and corrosives before
putting them in the
garbage.
• Reducing, recycling and reusing materials help lessen
pollution in our environment.

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 Let’s Do This

What are the safety precautions in the use and storage of

materials?

What to do:

1. Go to the different parts of your house where household

materials are found.
2. Observe how they are used/stored.

What you have found out:

What are the safety precautions in the use/storage of

household materials?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________.

Let’s Do More

Check (√) the proper uses/storage of materials and cross (x)

out those which are not.

______1. Wear rubber gloves when using strong chemicals.

______2. Stored expired materials.
______3. Keep chemicals in a cabinet with the reach of the
children.
______4. Keep petroleum products near the stove.
______5. Store cleaning materials together with preparation.

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 Let’s Remember This

Safety precautions should be observed in

using/storing/disposing household materials

Let’s Test Ourselves

Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the proper way of using medicine?

a. Take or drink all of it

b. Read the labels before taking them and take only the
proper dosage
c. Do not take medicine
d. Just display your medicine

2. What is the proper way of storing medicine?

a. Throw them away

b. Store them in the kitchen
c. Label them properly
d. Store them outside the cabinets

3. How can you make discarded plastic usable?

a. Sell or recycle them

b. Plastic should be burned
c. Plastic should be thrown in rivers
d. Plastic should be thrown anywhere

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 4. How should insect sprays be used?

a. Use hand gloves and if possible, wear gas mask as you

use it
b. Spray on food to drive house flies away
c. Use insect spray on insect bites
d. Eating while spraying insects

5. Why is it not good to throw empty can and plastics into the
river?

a. Because the river will look beautiful

b. Because marine life will perish
c. Because fishes will become healthy
d. Because fishes will eat the empty cans and plastics

Science Fact File

Did you know…

Eyewear like goggles protect the eyes from flying bit of glasses
and sparks

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 Answer Key

Let’s try this

1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. True

Let’s Do This

Answers vary

Let’s Do More

1. /
2. x
3. /
4. x
5. x

Let’s Test Ourselves

1. b
2. c
3. a
4. a
5. b

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