Household Safety Tips

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: A GUIDE FOR CITIZENS This on-line course will introduce Americans to household hazardous materials and teach them steps that can be taken to protect themselves, their families and their communities.

- In the first unit, the participant can learn about basic chemical and physical properties, the ways chemicals enter the body, and the effects chemicals have on the body.

- In the second and third units, the participant can learn about cleaning products, lead, mercury, gasoline, compressed gases, carbon monoxide, medical supplies, chlorine, pesticides and much more.

- In the last two units, the student/participant is introduced to and is able to review common labels, personal protective equipment, proper disposal methods, less toxic alternatives, and preventive measures to take before natural disasters occur.

This course is available online as an interactive web-based course. To access the course materials and complete the exam go to the EMI Independent Study Program website at: http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS. Select "Our Courses" and then select IS-55 from the list of courses. A brochure about this course is also available for download from the website.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Both USFA and FEMA are a part of the Department of Homeland Security.