After the Nor’easter: Check Your Household Hazardous Waste Storage
The recent nor’easter gave Cape Cod homes a pretty thorough fall stress test. We brought in patio furniture, charged our phones and kept an eye on the wind, rain and rising water.
But storm season is not over. Coastal storms and nor’easters can continue through the fall, and winter weather is right behind them. Sometimes winter brings snow. Sometimes it brings a lot of rain.
Remember: If it rains on your house, it can flood.
You do not need to live on the ocean to have water enter your basement, garage or first floor. That makes this a good time to check the half-used can of paint sitting on the basement floor, the gasoline tucked into the corner of the garage and the collection of cleaners that has somehow grown under the sink.
A few small changes now can help prevent a much bigger problem during the next storm.
Why household chemical storage matters
Oil-based paint, gasoline, pesticides, pool chemicals, cleaners and other household hazardous waste can leak if containers are damaged or reached by floodwater. Different chemicals can also react if leaking products mix.
That can create risks for residents, pets, first responders and Cape Cod’s water supply.
You do not need to reorganize the entire garage today. Start with a quick walk through the places where chemicals tend to collect, including the basement, garage, shed, workshop and under household sinks.
Look for a few common problems
Check for:
- Containers stored directly on the floor
- Loose or missing caps
- Rust, cracks, bulging or other damage
- Missing or unreadable labels
- Products stored near heat, flames or sparks
- Chemicals within reach of children or pets
- Different types of chemicals crowded together in one bin or tray
If your household hazardous waste collection looks like a cornucopia of old paint, lawn products, cleaners and mystery containers, resist the urge to pile everything into one box.
Store household hazardous waste safely
Keep household chemicals:
- In their original, labeled containers
- Upright with lids and caps tightly closed
- Away from children and pets
- Above expected flood levels, but not above eye level
- Away from heat, flames, sparks and other ignition sources
- Separated from products that could react with one another
Always follow the storage instructions on the product label. Never mix chemicals or pour them into food, beverage or unlabeled containers.
Think about where water could enter your home, not just whether you live near the shoreline. Heavy rain, clogged drainage, saturated ground or a failed sump pump can cause flooding well away from the coast.
Be careful about what is stored together
Some household chemicals can react if their containers leak. Do not place different products together in the same bin or tray unless you know they can be stored safely near one another.
Pay particular attention to fuels, pool chemicals, strong cleaners, acids and bases. Keep each product in its original container and follow the label.
If you are unsure, do not guess. Email Anthony Gerace, Barnstable County’s hazardous materials specialist, at [email protected] or call 508-375-6699. He can help you safely store, handle or dispose of the product.
What if a container is leaking or damaged?
Do not combine the contents with another product. Do not place the container in the regular trash or pour the material onto the ground, into a storm drain or down a household drain.
Keep children and pets away from the area. Avoid handling a damaged or unidentified container until you have received instructions from a hazardous materials professional.
Email Anthony at [email protected] or call 508-375-6699 for guidance.
When do household hazardous waste collections return?
Barnstable County’s 2026 household hazardous waste collection season has ended. The 2027 collection season will begin in April.
Collection dates, locations and accepted materials are generally posted in March or April. Visit Barnstable County’s household hazardous waste program for current information and future collection schedules.
If you have a damaged, leaking or concerning product before collections resume, email Anthony at [email protected] or call 508-375-6699. Do not wait until April without first making sure the product can be stored safely.
Make household chemicals part of your storm plan
The recent nor’easter was a helpful reminder that Cape Cod storm preparation goes beyond flashlights, batteries and bringing in the lawn furniture.
Read Plan Ahead: Be Prepared to Weather Flooding on Cape Cod for more practical steps to prepare your household for coastal storms, nor’easters, flooding, snow and power outages.
Whether you live beside the water or miles inland, a quick check of the garage, basement or shed today can help protect your household, first responders and Cape Cod’s water supply during the next storm.
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