If you spill insecticide on your clothes, change them immediately. If you get any in your eyes, flush out with water and seek medical help immediately.

If you or anyone else accidentally swallows any product, read the label and give the antidote specified and call a doctor or your nearest Poisons Information Centre (Keep the numbers handy on an emergency numbers list).

If you feel at all unwell after using insecticide, contact your doctor or poisons information centre.

All insecticides must be treated with care. Most are safe around humans and pets but some such as baits used for rodents, and some crawling

The first and most important is simply: READ THE LABEL. Read all material which comes with the product, more than once if need be. Follow the steps indicated for safe usage.

Insect killers are dangerous. These are some of the safety rules to know and observe when handling insecticides.

Personal contact keep insecticides off your skin and avoid breathing the fumes from sprays. Wash hands after using any insecticide, and if you smoke, wash your hands before lighting a cigarette.

Handling insecticide use only as much as specified on the instructions Using too much is wasteful and possibly dangerous. Do not prepare or handle baits or sprays where food is prepared. Sprays should be kept away from food and should not be used in cupboards or on shelves where food is stored, unless the instructions state otherwise.

Children and pets do not allow children to touch areas where you have used residual sprays (sprays which have a lasting effect of weeks or months after use). Remove pet containers before spraying. Cover containers of rodent bait to keep out children and pets.

Safe usage do not spray near flames or pilot lights. Do not smoke while handling insecticides. When using a space spray, leave the room and close the door after spraying.

Safe storage keep leftovers in the original containers. Store in a safe place away from heat and out of the reach of children. Do not re use empty containers, rinse and dispose of them safely.