Safety: radium dials, mercury and old shed chemicals
Old clocks, instruments, barometers and the back of the shed can hold hazards you don't expect. Here's what to watch for and what to do.
By the Junkie team
Step by step
Step 1: Radium dials
Glow in the dark numbers on clocks, watches and aircraft or car instruments made before about the 1960s may contain radium. They're fine left sealed, but don't open the case, scrape the paint or keep lots of them in a bedroom.
Step 2: Mercury
Old barometers, thermometers, thermostats and some switches contain mercury. If one breaks, ventilate the room, don't vacuum or sweep, and carefully collect the beads with stiff card into a sealed jar.
Step 3: Old chemicals
Unlabelled bottles, old pesticides, DDT, weed killers and photographic chemicals turn up in sheds. Don't mix or open them. Label them as unknown and take them to a hazardous waste drop off.
Step 4: Firearms and ammunition
Old ammunition and firearms need to go to the police. Don't sell them on Junkie.
Step 5: When in doubt, ask
Post a photo in the forums or ask your council. It's better to check than guess.
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