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Pesticide Use and Safety

By their nature, pesticies can be harmful to children, adults, pets, and the environment because they are designed to kill or repel pests. Many of the these products are readily available in your local store or market and can be hazardous when handled, stored, applied, or disposed of improperly. The most effective method to reduce your risk to pesticide contaimination is to use non-chemical control methods (visit our webpage on pesticide alternatives for more information). If you choose to use a chemical pesticide, alone or with non-chemical methods, make sure you follow these safety precautions:

Correctly identify the pest and appropriate pesticide.
Carefully follow the pesticide label directions.
Mix only enough pesticide to do the job and apply according to label directions.
Always make sure that food, utensils, toys, and related items are removed before using a pesticide.
Keep adults, children, and pests from standing in or around the treatement area.
Keep the pesticide off areas not intended to be treated.
Wear gloves, long sleeves, and pants while mixing and applying pesticides.
Check the pesticide label to see if goggles and a respirator are needed.
Wash hands with soap and water and remove clothing after use.
Keep adults, children, and pets away from area where the pesticide was applied until the area has dried.
Store pesticides in a locked, dry area and keep out of reach of children and pets.
Dispose of pesticides according to manufacturer's specifications and never dipose on the ground or down a drain.

For more information on pesticide use and safety, visit these websites:

Maryland Department of Agriculture: Pest Information for Consumers

US EPA: Pesticide Health and Safety

National Pesticide Information Center: General Pesticide Information

Pesticides and Child Safety
For more information on pesticides and child safety, visit our webpage Pesticides and Child Safety, which contains information made available for the US EPA.

For more information on programs and resources for protecting children from pesticides, visit these websites:

US EPA: Pesticides and Child Safety

Ten Tips to Protect Children from Pesticides and Lead Poisonings around the Home (also available in Spanish)

US EPA Office of Children's Health Protection

US Food and Drug Administration: Center for Food Safety and Nutrition

Disclaimer: Some of the publications posted on the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) web site may be outdated. The Department is currently redesigning the site to bring you updated content and materials. We appreciate your patience and understanding during our web site construction period. If you need information before we are finished, please contact DEP at 240-777-7700.

Last edited: 6/15/2007