Stay Safe - A Safety Education Guide to Household Chemical Products for Children 5 to 9 years of age

Appendix B: Definitions

Aerosols

Fine solid or liquid particles suspended in the air.

Aerosol Container

A disposable metal container, with its contents under pressure, operated by a manual valve which releases a spray of fine particles.

Child-resistant Container

A container that meets the requirements of standards set out in the Regulations. Most protocols require that at least 80% of four-year old children be unable to open the container within ten minutes. Also, a container that cannot be opened without the use of a tool, and the tool is not supplied with the container (e.g. a paint can). Some people use the term 'child-proof' however there is no such thing since some children may still be able to open a container if given enough time.

Consumer Chemical Products

Chemical products sold to Canadians for general household use. Products that pose certain hazards (toxic, corrosive, flammable) have their packaging and labeling regulated by the Federal Government.

Corrosive

A substance with the ability to wear away, destroy or dissolve metals or organic (living skin) materials.

Explosive

An object that may expand suddenly and violently with a loud noise, releasing energy. This includes the bursting of a container that is under pressure if it is heated or punctured.

First Aid Statement

A sentence that gives the name of the hazardous chemical in the product, and provides instructions on immediate first aid treatment in case of an injury.

Flammable

A substance with the ability to burst into flame if exposed to heat, sparks or flames.

Hazard

A danger or risk that may result in injury or death.

Hazard Symbol

A graphical picture or representation that is used to illustrate the type of danger posed by a product.

Hazard Statement

A sentence or sentences that describe the specific danger if the product is used incorrectly.

Industrial Products

Products developed for workplace use.They often contain more concentrated chemicals than are found in consumer chemical products. Their containers may not be child-resistant, and are generally in larger quantity sizes.

Injury Prevention

Targeted strategies designed to prevent, control and reduce injuries and fatalities. Strategies focus on preventing exposure to the risk of injury or reducing the severity and consequences if exposure to the hazard does occur. Strategies may include personal education, legislation, community action and product or facility design.

Poison

A substance that when ingested, absorbed or inhaled may injure health or destroy life. It may also be called toxic.

Quick skin-bonding adhesives

Quick skin-bonding adhesives (e.g. alkyl cyanoacrylate adhesives or "crazy glues") are capable of bonding skin with skin instantly or nearly instantly.These products do not require hazard symbols but they so have hazard statements on the labels.

Signal Word

The word found directly below the hazard symbol that identifies how hazardous the product is.

Solvent

A substance that is often used as a dissolving or weakening agent. Water is the most common and safest solvent. Paint thinners or cleaners are examples of hazardous chemical solvents.

Toxic

A chemical product labeled "poison" may cause death or a serious permanent injury.