The Household Hazard Symbols

Symbol

The Danger

Product Examples

Explosive
explosive

This container can explode if it's heated or punctured. Flying pieces of metal or plastic can cause serious injuries, especially to the eyes.
  • water repellant for shoes or boots in an aerosol container
  • spray paint in an aerosol container

Corrosive
corosive

This product will burn skin or eyes on contact, or throat and stomach if swallowed.
  • toilet bowl cleaner
  • oven cleaner

Flammable
flammable

This product, or its fumes, will catch fire easily if it's near heat, flames or sparks.
  • contact adhesives
  • gasoline

Poison
poison

Licking, eating, drinking, or sometimes smelling, this product will cause illness or death.
  • windshield washer fluid
  • furniture polish

So, what's new?

There are now only two frames used around the symbols:

Triangle
(inverted)

 triangle

This frame looks like a traffic yield sign.
It means that the container is dangerous.

Octagon
(eight sides)

 octagon

This frame looks like a traffic stop sign.
It means that the contents inside the
container are dangerous.


Before October 1, 2001 the old regulations required three different frames to indicate the degree of hazard. Now, only two frames are used to distinguish between the contents of the product and the container itself.

Are all products labelled?

No. Only those household chemical products which meet the classification criteria set out in the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 (CCCR, 2001) require specific labelling and packaging.The CCCR, 2001 are established under the authority of the Hazardous Products Act, and prohibit or restrict the advertisement, sale and importation of products which meet the established classification criteria. For further information: