Safety Information

Safety is everyone's responsibility and it's our top priority!

Science Smarts

Important Information for Supervising Adults

Legislation on Choking Hazard Warning Labels

How to Understand a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Don’t let our fun and light-hearted approach to teaching science fool you. The professionals at Steve Spangler Science take science safety very seriously. We thoroughly evaluate the safety aspects of all of our products prior to their use in the school or home. We also understand that safety is a mutual responsibility. All of our instructions detail the necessary procedures you must take in order to conduct the experiments in the safest manner possible. Is water safe? Yes and no... the safety aspects of water depend on how YOU use it. That’s why every safety data sheet tells you to “keep out of reach of young children” regardless of how safe the material might be.

Let's face it, science is fun partly because of the element of surprise. By their very nature, science experiments fizz, bubble, pop, smoke, erupt, move, change temperature and sometimes produce unexpected results. That's why science is fun, and that's why you need to follow the necessary safety precautions when doing any science activity.

Advice for Supervising Adults

Science Smarts starts with proper adult supervision and common sense. Read all the directions before you begin any experiment and if you aren’t sure about something, ask someone who knows!

Don’t put any chemical near your mouth, eyes, ears, or nose. The incorrect use of chemicals can cause injury and damage to health.
Watch out for small pieces, balloons, or rubber bands that may be part of your kit. Not only are they easy to lose but they can be a choking danger to young children or pets who might try to swallow them.
Only carry out those experiments which are listed in the instructions.
This kit is only for use by children with strict supervision of adults that have studied the precautions given in these instructions.
Adults should exercise discretion as to which experiments are suitable and safe for their children.
The instructions should enable supervisors to assess any experiment to establish its suitability for a particular child.
The supervising adult should discuss the warnings and safety information with the child or children before commencing the experiments.
Particular attention should be paid to the safe handling of chemicals.
The surrounding area should be kept clear of any obstructions and the contents of the activity kept away from food or food storage. The workspace should be well lit, ventilated and close to water.

The science of safety has changed tremendously over the years. What was once considered "fun" may now be considered hazardous to your health. That's why consumers want to know more about safety issues than ever before and rightly so.

Choking Hazard Warnings

Recent legislation has changed the way toy manufacturers and retailers display warnings on their products. House of Representatives Bill 4040 is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The mandate is to establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

To that end, the following warnings appear on products that meet the choking hazard requirements of H.R. 4040 and/or contain a small ball, a marble or a balloon. Regardless of the inclusion of a warning label, adult supervision is required at all times.
Warning: Choking Hazard

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Most professional educators are required to obtain an MSDS on every chemical in their classroom. MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet and it's a form that provides detailed information the properties and reactivity of the chemicals that make-up the product in question.Without proper training, however, MSDS information can be quite intimidating and could possibly lead a person to the wrong conclusion about the safety of a product.

For example, would you consider water to be a safe chemical? Sure it's safe... it's water! But try reading the MSDS on water and you might be surprised. "FIRST AID: Call a physician, seek medical attention for further treatment, observation and support after first aid. Inhalation: Remove to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped give artificial respiration immediately." Sounds frightening... and it's just water! If you request an MSDS on any product, make sure you understand what you're reading before jumping to any conclusions. If you are concerned about a particular chemical contained in the product, seek the professional advice of an expert. Any chemical can pose safety concerns (yes, even water).

The best advice we can give parents, teachers or any adult supervisor is to read and follow the directions carefully. Look for phrases like "non-hazardous" or "not expected to be a health risk". If you have any questions, pick up the phone and call. Most importantly, if an accident happens, seek help immediately.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

IN CASE OF ACCIDENTAL INTAKE OF A CHEMICAL OR OBJECT, CALL 1-800-222-1222.
This toll-free number will put you in touch with the poison control center in your state or call 911