HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP? 



E. H. Wheeler 

 Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology 



Young children are poisoned by pesticides more frequently than any 

 other age group . 



Improper storage of pesticides and unsafe disposal of "empty" con- 

 tainers are major causes. Youngsters are curious and they get from 

 "here to there" before anyone knows it. 



If your children, or anyone's children, can get to your pesticides 

 or "empty" containers there is something wrong - something that is YOUR 

 responsibility to correct. 



Think over these suggestions - how do YOU measure up? 



1. Store all pesticides (and other hazardous materials) in origi- 

 nal, plainly labeled containers. 



2. Have one place for pesticides - one which can be locked ! (Anoth- 

 er spot may be needed for products spoiled by freezing). A shed, 

 garage or other open area is not a safe place to keep pesticides. 

 Opened packages increase the danger. 



3. A separate, well-marked building is best. Second best would be 

 an enclosed corner or end of a structure in which no animals 

 are housed - no people either. 



4o Never leave pesticides outside the locked storage even though 

 you may be planning to use them again tomorrow. 



5. Pesticides and "empties" left unattended in the open at the mix- 

 ing-filling station are an invitation to tragedy in this day 

 when farms are not so isolated from non-farm families. 



6. A ditch, stream bank or an open dump anywhere is NOT a safe 

 place to throw "empty" pesticide containers. 



7. Burn "empties", that will burn, in a spot where ashes can be 

 buried; this amount of heat does not destroy some pesticides. 

 And remember, smoke from organic phosphates is especially dan- 

 gerous . 



8. Bury bottles and metal containers 18 inches or deeper at a spot 

 where, in so far as possible, you have determined there is no 

 chance of later exposure or that waters can be polluted. It is 

 best to break bottles and to puncture and/or crush cans and drums, 

 but, do it in the hole or so that surface soil is not contaminated. 

 Avoid splashing with the concentrate I 



