What’S Parked In Your Garage?

Gasoline and other poison hazards may be stored unsafely in your garage. The Home Safety Council and the American Association of Poison Control Centers promote safe practices around hazardous products in the garage and storage areas:

*  In homes with young children, see that child-resistant caps are on all dangerous products. These include charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, antifreeze, and turpentine. Store the products out of sight and reach-or better yet, locked up.

*  Store only a small amount of gasoline and always in an approved container designed and labeled for gasoline. Never bring gasoline indoors.

*  Keep all products in original containers with original labels.

*  Never transfer dangerous products to glass jars, soft drink bottles, or other containers.  Harmful products could look like common drinks and be taken by mistake. Also, containers may leak or break. It is easy to forget what product was placed in which container.

*  Use a siphon hose if you must transfer gasoline. Never try to siphon gasoline or other fuels by mouth.

Every Poison Control Center in the country can be reached by calling the nationwide hotline at (800) 222-1222. Post the hotline near home phones and on your cell phone.