Home Chemistry Laboratory

This a list of strictly NOT TO DO STUPID THINGS in a chemistry laboratory:

Never eat, drink or smoke in the laboratory
All laboratory chemicals should be considered toxic by ingestion, and the best way to avoid ingesting chemicals is to keep your mouth closed. Eating or drinking (even water) in the lab is very risky behavior. A moment’s inattention can have tragic results. Smoking violates two major lab safety rules: putting anything in your mouth is a major no-no, as is carrying an open flame around the lab.

Never work alone in the laboratory
No one adult, or tutor or student, should ever work alone in the laboratory. Even if the experimenter is adult, there must at least be another adult within earshot who is able to respond quickly in an emergency.

No horsing around
A lab isn’t the place for practical jokes or acting out, or for that matter for catching up on gossip or talking about last night’s football game. When you’re in the lab, you should have your mind on lab work, period.

Never combine chemicals arbitrarily
Combining chemicals arbitrarily is among the most frequent causes of serious accidents in home chemistry labs. Some people seem compelled to mix chemicals more or less randomly, just to see what happens. Sometimes they get more than they bargained for.

Don’t make explosives
Yes, I know. One that nearly all home chemists have in common is the gene that compels us to make stuff that goes boom, and the louder the better. Resist the temptation. In addition to the obvious danger of losing some fingers – or your head – you risk having DHS agents kick down your door and cart you off to prison. Years ago, it was a rite of passage for home chemists to manufacture explosives, from black powder to nitroglycerin to acetone peroxide. Most (not all) of us survive unscathed, and thought no more about it. The authorities weren’t thrilled about kids blowing stuff up, but they generally resigned themselves to the fact that “boys will be boys.” No more if you’re caught making explosives nowadays – and you probably will be caught if you try it – the best you can hope for is a big fine, and that’s only if you can afford a good lawyer. Just don’t do it.

Laboratory safety is mainly a matter of common sense. Think about what you’re going to do before you do it. Work carefully. Deal with minor problems before they become major problems. Keep safety constantly in mind, and chances are good that any problems you have will be very minor ones.