Londoners are unknowingly putting themselves at serious risk by mixing common household cleaning products, creating potentially lethal chemical reactions. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has responded to over 150 incidents involving dangerous chemical reactions from cleaning products since 2023, highlighting the scale of this hidden danger.
Mixing seemingly harmless cleaners can unleash toxic fumes, causing breathing difficulties, coughing, and other serious health problems. These incidents require the LFB to deploy specially trained HAZMAT (hazardous material) crews, equipped to identify and neutralise the dangerous combinations.
Group Commander Matt Hayward, the LFB’s lead officer for hazardous materials, urges Londoners to always read the labels and instructions on cleaning products. "The label will always tell you how to safely use the product, and the risks of mixing it with other things," he explains. "People often think that cleaning products will be twice as effective when mixed, but it can be a recipe for disaster."
One Londoner, Santosh Karma from Canary Wharf, experienced this firsthand. After mixing bleach and drain cleaner in his Plumstead home, he began experiencing severe breathing difficulties and coughing. "It was scary not being able to breathe properly," Santosh recalls. "It felt like it was having a serious impact on my health."
Santosh’s experience highlights the severity of these incidents. He required treatment from paramedics and the LFB deployed firefighters in breathing apparatus to ensure the property was safe. “I am not going to mix chemicals again,” Santosh affirms. “I’d advise anyone who does the cleaning, and uses products, to always read the label. This was a scary experience, and I would not want anyone else to go through it.”
A chemical incident triggers a significantly larger response from the LFB than a typical fire callout, requiring specialist HAZMAT crews to identify the chemicals and lead the response in making the area safe.
London Fire Brigade Safety Top Tips:
- Read the instructions: Pay close attention to warning labels on all cleaning products.
- Keep original containers: Store chemicals in their original containers with all labels intact.
- Avoid mixing in containers: Never pour chemicals into the same container or use one cleaner immediately after another.
- Safe storage: Always store harmful chemicals out of reach of children.
- Follow instructions: Use products only as intended.
- Ventilation is key: Always open windows when using chemicals to ensure proper ventilation.
- Rinse thoroughly: Completely wash off one cleaning product before applying another.
- Consider professionals: If over-the-counter cleaners or drain unblockers are unsuccessful, consider calling a professional tradesperson.
- Proper disposal: Contact your local council for information on safely disposing of unused chemicals.
By following these simple safety tips, Londoners can avoid the dangerous consequences of mixing cleaning products and keep themselves and their families safe. If you accidentally mix chemicals and begin to feel unwell, leave your property immediately and call 999 for assistance. The LFB is trained and equipped to deal with these incidents and is ready to help.
Source: LFB (09 Jan 2025)