Chemicals should be labeled clearly and stored according to material safety data sheet instructions. Special care should be taken when storing flammable or oxidizing chemicals to avoid fire or hazardous reactions. The safest chemicals for elementary school use are household substances such as vinegar, baking soda, vitamin C tablets, ammonia, chalk, Epsom salts, table salt and sugar. Students should not be allowed access to the chemical storage area.
Heat sources used for school science experiments include gas burners, candles and hot plates. Keep flammable liquids far away from an open flame. Hot plates look the same when they are hot or cold. Teachers should have access to shut-off valves for gas and electricity. Ground-fault interrupters and covering unused outlets help to prevent electrical accidents. A wire connected to the terminals of a battery could cause overheating and burns if left unattended.
Life science experiments with plants could result in skin irritation or illness if poisonous plants are used or plants are mishandled. Seeds treated with fungicides may cause irritation and poisonous plants such as poison ivy, oak and sumac should be avoided. Many nonpoisonous plants have toxic leaves. Students may be come ill if they put part of a plant in their mouth. Have students wash their hands after handling plants to avoid getting irritants in their eyes.
Animals can transmit disease if they have not been vaccinated or obtained from a reputable source or if their cages are not kept clean. Wild animals pose a greater risk to safety in the classroom due to potential for disease and unpredictable behavior. Instruction in animal handling helps to prevent bites and escapes. (2) Animal remnants such as owl pellets and chicken bones should be sanitized before use. (1)
Using equipment properly and following procedures correctly maintains safety in the laboratory. Essential safety equipment includes goggles, gloves, a fume hood, aprons, tongs, an eyewash station a fire blanket and a first-aid kit. Replace glassware with plastic flasks, beakers and graduated cylinders designed for laboratory use. Insist students keep themselves safe by tying back long hair, removing cumbersome jewelry and refraining from eating or drinking during laboratory activities. Students also need adequate work space to safely perform science experiments: the National Science Teachers Association recommends six horizontal feet per student.
Spills can cause accidents if someone steps in a spill on the floor or a spill on the lab bench causes glassware or other equipment to slip and break. Spills can also lead to unwanted reactions between reagents. Spilled chemicals can cause injury if they are not cleaned up quickly and properly. Glassware or plastic lab vessels must be cleaned thoroughly after use and should be rinsed with water before use to avoid reactions with residue. Students should also wash their hands before and after science procedures.