Household HAZMAT Science/Chemistry Lessons

Every day new chemicals and household products hit the market. They appear as name brand and off brand or store brand names. The average home has at least 20 dangerous chemicals within easy reach of children. Naturally when children are young, we need to keep them out of reach. But as they begin to talk we can train them to know and avoid dangerous chemicals. In times past we've used the skull and crossbones and more lately, Officer Ugg as warning labels to show children what to avoid.

But warning without information can just present more of a temptation. As with all other safety areas that we educate children about, household chemicals are the most easily available and can be some of the most dangerous. Our youngest son was one of the most curious and fearless children I have ever known. He seemed to be able to sniff out a dangerous item like candy. At about 2, our neighbor had put down some Diazanon ant killer and was in the process of warning us wear it was, our little guy was lighting out to investigate. He was fascinated with danger, electricity, chemicals, knives, you name it. Nothing seemed to scare him. Then we went to a demonstration at a college about chemistry; he was about 5. The professor showed us why balloons are filled with helium now instead of hydrogen (as with the early dirigibles). He put a balloon in the air filled with hydrogen. There was a little basket of toy people attached. As he heated up the balloon it exploded with a sound as loud as dynamite. The little basket of people exploded also. We all leaped out of our seats, our son Mr. Nosey included. He didn't say much but I could see that he got the idea.