Storm-Ready Home: Safeguard Your Family, Pets, and First Responders from Your Hazardous Household Waste
We’ve seen the power a Cape Cod storm can carry, and the devastation it leaves behind. Flooding and fires can turn household hazardous waste into a serious threat. To protect your home and environment, have a plan in place to secure or safely dispose of hazardous materials before a storm hits. Proper preparation can prevent dangerous chemicals from contaminating floodwaters and spreading harm.
Household chemicals, like oil-based paints, cleaners, and pesticides, might seem harmless, but they can be toxic and dangerous, especially during a storm. These hazardous materials can react or even explode during events like floods or fires, putting your family and first responders at risk.
To protect your loved ones and your community, safely dispose of leftover or unused hazardous waste through Barnstable County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collections, held from spring to fall. If you need help during the off-season, reach out to Kalliope Chute, the Extension’s Hazardous Materials Environmental Specialist, at 508-375-6699 or kalliope@capecod.gov. You can also visit the Household Hazardous Waste webpage for more information at www.loveyourlocalwater.org.
If you choose to store these materials at home, follow safety guidelines. Keep chemicals above potential flood levels (but never above eye level), and ensure poisons are out of reach of children and pets. Store flammable materials in flame-retardant containers, like metal garbage cans with lids. Always check with local fire, health, or emergency officials for more advice.
Take a moment to look around your home for hazardous products, and note where they’re stored. This simple step could save lives in an emergency.
The purpose of this infographic is to give the public ways to prepare their homes for a hurricane by looking for items that can cause household hazardous waste (HHW).
Managing Household Hazardous Waste to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane (pdf) (113.3 KB)
