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Paint, fertilizer, weed killer - any or all of these can be found in the average family’s shed, and when handled correctly, they’re pretty safe. However, sometimes family members, especially younger ones, don’t always know how to handle them safely, or even that there’s anything to be concerned about. Ideally, you should be able to store your needed supplies in your shed without worrying that it’s an unsafe zone for loved ones. We’ve got a few tips to help you make that happen!

Store items appropriately

Sure you’ve told your kids a hundred times not to touch certain items, but accidents and temptations happen. It’s always better to be extra precautious in storing hazardous materials. The labels on your products are the best place to find recommended storing procedures, but in general stick with the following:

• Paints and solvents - keep them in their original containers and away from any chance of flame.

• Gasoline - only store in an approved, leak-proof container, out of sunlight. Gas should be stored in small containers and you should only keep small amounts (many municipalities limit the size of containers to 5 gallons or less, and the total amount you can keep at home to around 25 gallons). If you need to store gasoline at home, be sure and check your local codes. In addition, gasoline generally has a shelf life of about 12 months.

• Oily rags - the safest method for storing oily rags is in a metal container with a tightly sealing lid.

• Buy and keep only what you need - as much as possible, only buy the amount of hazardous product that you need. Recycle extra. Also, avoid holding onto used materials, like oil. Take it to a disposal facility right away.

• Fertilizers, pool chemicals, etc. - store them off the ground, out of kids’ reach. A locking cabinet or at the very least a high shelf is best.

Choose friendlier options

Whenever possible, go for natural, safer compositions. For many hazardous materials you might store in your shed, like fertilizers and pesticides, there is a less hazardous alternative. Even with a more earth-friendly option, maintain proper safety procedures. Don’t let kids or animals on or near the yard while you’re treating. Be sure to model safe handling procedures for them. Wear your own protective goggles, gloves, and gear.

Keep family items separate

One of the easiest steps you can take is to make sure that sports equipment, Christmas decorations, and items that other family members might be grabbing from the shed are stored completely separate from where you store any hazardous materials. If possible, keep those items in a garage or different building. But, if family items do need to share shed space with hazardous materials, keep them as far away as possible from each other. Set aside a specific wall, closet, or set of shelves that kids know is the only place their items will be can help prevent anyone from accidentally stumbling into something hazardous.

Every family has to keep some type of hazardous material at home some of the time, but if you follow these safety precautions, you can feel much more confident that you’re taking all the right steps to protect your family!

Still need a shed to tuck those hazards away? Check out our standard models!