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Make L.I.E.S. part of spring cleaning

As spring cleaning begins in earnest, the Ada City-County Emergency Management office asks homeowners and occupants to use caution when disposing of common, yet hazardous, materials.

Officials encourage people to use the LIES method when deciding how to discard unwanted or expired waste – limiting, isolating, eliminating and separating potentially hazardous chemicals in the home.

Limit the amount and types of materials in storage. Keep no more than is necessary for immediate use.

Isolate the products only in the original or approved containers, with original labels and store them in enclosed cabinets that are away from sources of ignition. If small children are in the household, store in cabinets that have child safety locks.

Eliminate products that are no longer necessary and safely dispose of them at a designated facility.

Separate chemicals like chlorine and ammonia that are incompatible/reactive if mixed.

Most hazardous household products can be classified into one of four major groups:

1. Automotive products - motor oil, brake and transmission fluid, antifreeze and car batteries, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, and car wax with solvent.

2. Household cleaners - oven cleaners, toilet cleaners, spot removers, silver polishes, furniture polishes, cleansers and powdered cleaners, window cleaners, bleach, liquid cleaners, dyes.

3. Paints and solvents - oil-based, auto and model paint, paint stripper, primer, rust remover, turpentine, varnish, mineral spirits, glues, wood stains and preservatives.

4. Pesticides - Insect/spider aerosols, “rodenticides,” roach traps, ant/flea powder and all other chemicals used to deter or exterminate unwanted pests in the home or garden.

Storage tips:

Household chemicals should always be stored exactly per the instructions on their labels.
These products could tip over and spill during an earthquake. They should be stored in a cabinet that has a lip at the bottom to keep the spilled chemicals contained inside the cabinet. This is also a reason to separate products that will react adversely if mixed.
Regularly check the containers and place any leaking container inside another container and label it accordingly. Properly dispose of any product that has bloated, damaged or corroded its original container.
Most house fires start in either the kitchen or garage, making both of these higher risk storage locations for household chemicals. Chemical fumes from a fire can be lethal.

Proper disposal:

Putting them in the regular garbage pick up or dumping them down a household or storm drain may not permanently dispose of hazardous household chemicals.
There is a household chemical disposal facility open to all Ada County residents Friday and Saturday (except holidays) located at Ada County’s Hidden Hollow Landfill. Periodically, mobile drop-off facilities are available in Boise City, Meridian and Eagle.
Call 577- 4725 (Monday-Friday) or 577-4736 (Saturday) for hours of operation and exact locations of both the permanent and mobile locations.