Q. What do the warnings on the bottles under my kitchen sink mean? I find them confusing.

Many of the household products we use contain poisons. These include pesticides, oven cleaners, detergents, polish, paint and drain uncloggers.

Manufacturers use a low-medium-high system on labels to alert you to hazards. The following are brief descriptions:

If the label on a container says “caution,” that means the contents could hurt you. For example, the product’s fumes might make you sick.

If there is a “warning” on a label, that means you could be injured seriously if you don’t handle the product properly. A “warning” on a label can mean that the contents are flammable.

“Danger” indicates that you should handle the product with extreme care, because it can be lethal. A possible explosion is among the hazards that require a danger label.

If you have an emergency with a household product, here are some steps you can take. The order of the steps depends upon the severity of the problem. You can call 911, call your poison control center at 800-222-1222, and read the label for instructions and an emergency phone number.

The following are some general first-aid instructions:

If you get a poison onto your skin or in your eyes, rinse the affected area in the shower for at least 15 minutes.

If you inhale toxic fumes, get to fresh air immediately.

If poison is swallowed, do not use an emetic medicine such as syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting. Doctors no longer recommend using these medicines because there is no evidence they prevent poisons from entering the bloodstream.

And now for some tips to prevent exposure to dangerous substances:

Don’t keep flammable products inside your home.

Check household products regularly for loose caps.

Keep products in their original containers. This prevents confusion and keeps the labels around for reference.

Don’t store toxic household products near food or medicine.

Never throw these products in the trash cans where children can get to them. Call your local government to find out where you can dispose of these products properly.

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