Read the Label First! PROTECT YOUR HOUSEHOLD Many household products such as cleaners and pesticides could harm children, pets, or the environment if not used and stored correctly. Choose a product that is labeled for your specific pest. EPA encourages consumers to consider using EPA-registered biopesticides and products with EPA's Safer Choice label, which are generally less harmful. Simply reading a products label will help keep your family, your pets, and your community safe. Keep Your Family and Community Safe with these Tips • Read the Label First Labels tell you: • How to use a product safely and effectively. • How to store the product safely. • First aid instructions. • Phone numbers to call for help or more information. • Follow All Label Precautions • Warnings and directions tell you how to use products safely and correctly. • Follow warnings to open windows, wear gloves, and not breathe product dust. • Keep pets and children away from treated areas as directed on the label. • Keep Products in Original Containers • It is very dangerous to put products in food and beverage containers. Children think that something in a familiar bottle is safe to drink or play with. • Containers without tight fitting lids can easily spill. Know Where to Call for Help Many labels contain a phone number to call in an emergency. Have your local poison control center number and veterinarian's or local animal hospital number easily accessible. Have the product label with you when you call! The label provides those helping you with important information about the product. • If you throw away the original container, you throw away important information needed in case of an emergency. • If the label tells you to mix a product in another container, use all of the mixture. If you can't use all the mixture, label the new container for use in the future. • Prevent Harm to the Environment • Apply a product according to the label directions to prevent harm to the environment • Do not apply a product where it could run into ponds, creeks, or other water supplies and contaminate drinking water and kill wildlife • Spraying products on a windy day can carry the product into nearby water. • Never pour pesticides or other lawn and garden products down the drain. • Buy the Right Product for Your Needs • Read the label to make sure you're buying the right product for the job. This will save you time, money, and frustration. • Buy only what you need. If you buy too much, pass the product on to someone who can use it, with the label instructions. Some products might not be effective if stored for long periods of time. A larger size is not a good value if you can't use it. • Use the right amount. Labels indicate the correct amount to use. Using more can waste the product, your money and can cause harm to people, pets and the environment. www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol 740-F-15-006 ------- |