Chemicals in the Home: Safety Guide for Grand Rapids, Michigan

Many homes in Grand Rapids contain everyday products that can be dangerous if swallowed, inhaled, or splashed on the skin or eyes. From cleaning supplies to medications, these chemicals can cause serious poisoning, especially in children.

In Kent County and across West Michigan, emergency departments at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health regularly see preventable chemical-related injuries. Knowing how to store, use, and dispose of chemicals safely can help protect your family—especially during long indoor winters when kids spend more time at home.

Common Household Chemicals to Watch For

Many products used in Grand Rapids homes, garages, and yards contain potentially harmful chemicals, including:

  • Cleaning agents

    • Bleach and disinfectants
    • Dishwasher powders and pods
    • Oven cleaners
    • Drain cleaners
    • Turpentine and paint thinners

  • Pest and garden products

    • Insect sprays and baits
    • Rodent poisons
    • Weed killers
    • Fertilizers
    • Lawn and garden chemicals

  • Garage and workshop products

    • Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) canisters
    • Gasoline, oil, and antifreeze
    • Paints, varnishes, and solvents
    • Glues and resins

  • Swimming pool chemicals

    • Chlorine tablets and liquids
    • pH adjusters and algaecides

  • Medications

    • Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin)
    • Diabetes medications
    • Iron tablets and vitamins with iron
    • Sedatives and sleep medicines
    • Heart and blood pressure medications
    • Opioid pain medications

Children may mistake colorful tablets, liquids, and pods for candy or drinks. Older adults in Grand Rapids are also at risk of accidental overdose if medications are mixed up or not labeled clearly.

Before You Buy or Use a Product: Read the Label

Always read the label first

Before you purchase or use any chemical product:

  • Read the entire label, including:

    • Directions for use
    • Safety warnings
    • First-aid instructions
    • Storage and disposal instructions

  • Follow directions exactly as written. Do not use more than recommended or mix products unless the label clearly says it is safe.

Use proper protective equipment

Depending on the product, you may need:

  • Gloves
  • Safety goggles
  • A face mask or respirator
  • Protective clothing

Always:

  • Work in a well-ventilated area—open windows and doors, especially in winter when homes in Grand Rapids are tightly closed.
  • Take frequent breaks to get fresh air.
  • Keep children and pets out of the area while you are using chemicals.

Storing Chemicals Safely in Your Grand Rapids Home

General storage rules

To reduce the risk of poisoning or fire:

  • Keep chemicals in their original containers

    • Do not transfer them to cups, soft drink bottles, food containers, or unmarked jars.
    • Original containers have important safety and first-aid information.

  • Store out of reach and sight of children

    • Use a locked cabinet or cupboard.
    • Remember that some children are strong climbers—store chemicals high and locked.

  • Separate different types of chemicals

    • Keep liquid chemicals away from or below dry chemicals to prevent leaks mixing.
    • Keep acids away from alkaline products (for example, some cleaners and pool chemicals).
    • Store flammable liquids (like gasoline, solvents, and some cleaners) away from heat sources, pilot lights, and open flames.

  • Avoid unsafe containers

    • Do not keep chemicals in containers that:
      • Cannot be sealed tightly
      • Originally stored food or drinks
      • Could react with or be damaged by the product

If you must repackage a product (for example, for smaller quantities in a workshop):

  • Use a compatible, sealable container
  • Clearly label it with:
    • Product name
    • Hazard warnings
    • Date repackaged

Special care with medications

  • Use child-resistant caps and always close them properly.
  • Store medicines:
    • In a cool, dry place (not in steamy bathrooms)
    • Out of sight and reach of children
    • Separate from household chemicals
  • Keep a current medication list for each family member.
  • Never call medicine “candy” to encourage a child to take it.

If you have questions about safe medication use, local pharmacists in Grand Rapids, including those at Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids clinics, can provide guidance.

Disposing of Household Chemicals Safely in Grand Rapids

Never pour chemicals down the drain or toilet

Pouring chemicals down sinks, toilets, or storm drains can:

  • Damage plumbing
  • Harm septic systems and sewer infrastructure
  • Contaminate the Grand River and nearby waterways that feed into the Great Lakes

Use local disposal programs

In Grand Rapids and Kent County, you can dispose of many household chemicals safely through:

  • Kent County Department of Public Works – Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs
  • Kent County Health Department – Guidance on safe disposal and drop-off locations
  • Grand Rapids Public Works / Public Health – Local recycling and hazardous waste information

Common items that need special disposal include:

  • Medications

    • Return old, expired, or unwanted medications to:
      • Local pharmacies (many have medication take-back programs)
      • DEA Drug Take Back events in the Grand Rapids area
    • Do not flush medications unless the label specifically instructs you to.

  • Batteries

    • Rechargeable batteries – Return to retailers that accept them or to county recycling programs.
    • Single-use batteries – Use local battery recycling options where available.
    • Lead-acid batteries (car or boat batteries) – Take to an auto shop, recycling center, or county waste station.

  • Electronics and devices

    • Ionization-type smoke alarms (slightly radioactive) – Usually safe in household trash in small numbers, but check Kent County guidelines first.
    • Old thermometers, fluorescent bulbs, and some electronics may also need special handling.

  • Other hazardous products

    • Paints and solvents
    • Used motor oil and antifreeze
    • LPG canisters and propane tanks
    • Pesticides and weed killers
    • Pool chemicals

For current locations and rules, contact:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Kent County Department of Public Works
  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids

If you are unsure how to dispose of a product, ask your local environmental health officer or check the Kent County or City of Grand Rapids websites.

Recognizing Signs of Poisoning

Poisoning can look like many other medical problems. In both children and adults, symptoms may include:

  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain or diarrhea
  • Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly
  • Headaches or blurred vision
  • Breathing difficulties (fast, slow, or noisy breathing)
  • Drowsiness, extreme sleepiness, or fainting
  • Seizures (fitting)
  • Stinging or burning of the eyes, skin, or throat
  • Redness or burns around the mouth (if swallowed)
  • Unusual behavior that could be mistaken for drunkenness or drug use

You may also notice:

  • Empty pill bottles or blister packs
  • Open chemical containers
  • Burn marks or stains on furniture, floors, or clothing
  • A strong or unusual chemical smell

For children, check if they could have:

  • Drunk from a bottle, cup, or container left within reach
  • Swallowed a button battery (from toys, remotes, or key fobs)
  • Applied or removed medicated patches
  • Put cleaning pods or tablets in their mouth

What to Do in a Chemical Emergency in Grand Rapids

Step 1: Call for help

  • If the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, seizing, or in severe pain:

    • Call 911 immediately for an ambulance.
    • This will connect you with local emergency services in Grand Rapids.

  • If the person is awake and breathing normally but you suspect poisoning:

    • Call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222 (United States Poison Control Centers, 24/7).
    • Have the product container or medication package with you when you call.

Be prepared to tell the operator:

  • What poison or product is involved (name and strength if known)
  • How much was taken or contacted
  • When the exposure happened
  • The person’s age and approximate weight
  • Any medications the person normally takes
  • What symptoms you are seeing

Step 2: While waiting for help

If someone has swallowed poison

  • Do NOT make the person vomit.
  • If the poison is a solid (like pills or granules):
    • Gently remove any remaining substance from the mouth with your fingers.
  • If the poison is a liquid:
    • For a child, gently wipe the mouth with a damp cloth.
    • For an adult, rinse the mouth with water and have them spit it out (do not swallow).
  • Follow any instructions given by poison control or 911.
  • Do not give food or drink unless a medical professional tells you to.

If poison is on the skin

  • Put on gloves if available to protect yourself.
  • Remove contaminated clothing, shoes, and jewelry.
  • Rinse the skin under running water (shower or hose) for at least 15 minutes.
  • Do not apply creams or ointments unless instructed by a medical professional.

If poison gets into the eye

  • Gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm running water for 10–15 minutes or until help arrives.
  • Have the person blink often while the water runs over the eye.
  • Do not use eye drops or other products unless told to by a medical professional.

If poison has been inhaled

  • Move the person into fresh air immediately.
  • Keep yourself safe—avoid breathing in fumes.
  • If outside, stay upwind from the chemical source.
  • Loosen tight clothing around the neck and chest.
  • Call 911 if the person has trouble breathing.

If the person begins to vomit

  • Try to keep them sitting upright.
  • If they must lie down, turn their head to the side to prevent choking.

If the person stops breathing or loses consciousness

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Begin CPR if you are trained, and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Other Safety Precautions Around Chemicals

  • If you think a chemical is at risk of exploding or causing a fire:

    • Move away from the area immediately.
    • Do not try to save belongings.
    • From a safe location, call 911 and ask for the fire department.

  • If there are toxic fumes:

    • Stay upwind and in a well-ventilated space.
    • Do not re-enter the area until emergency services say it is safe.

  • Follow the most current advice from poison control or emergency services.

    • Instructions printed on older product labels may be outdated or incomplete.

Local Resources for Chemical and Poison Safety in Grand Rapids

If you live in Grand Rapids or the surrounding West Michigan area, you can get help and information from:

  • Emergency Services

    • 911 – For any life-threatening emergency (ambulance or fire)

  • Poison Help

    • 1-800-222-1222 – United States Poison Control Centers (24 hours, 7 days a week)

  • Local Healthcare Providers

    • Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health emergency departments and urgent care centers for emergency treatment

  • Public Health and Environmental Information

    • Kent County Health Department – Poison prevention, household hazardous waste, and environmental health guidance
    • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids – Local disposal and recycling programs

  • Fire Department

    • Your local Grand Rapids fire station – Advice on disposal of flammable chemicals and fire safety

  • Pharmacies

    • Local pharmacies in Grand Rapids – Safe medication use, medication take-back programs, and disposal advice

By reading labels carefully, storing chemicals safely, using proper protection, and knowing what to do in an emergency, families in Grand Rapids can reduce the risk of accidental poisoning and keep their homes safer—through every season of Michigan’s year.