Chemical incident: how to stay safe and act fast

Seeing or smelling a strange chemical can be scary. The first minute matters. Move away, warn others, and get help—but do it in the right order. This short guide tells you exactly what to do whether you’re at home, at work, or out in the community.

Immediate actions: protect yourself first

Are you close to the spill or fumes? Step back upwind—always move so the wind blows the fumes away from you. If you can smell a strong chemical or see a cloud, leave the area quickly and calmly. Don’t try to rescue people who are inside the cloud unless you have training and protective gear.

If you touched the chemical or got it on your clothes, remove contaminated clothing and rinse the affected skin with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Use soap if available. Don’t scrub hard. If someone is unconscious, don’t put your face near theirs—call emergency services and tell them the situation.

Close doors and windows if you’re inside and the source is outside. Turn off fans, air conditioners, or heaters that might bring fumes in. If advised by authorities to shelter in place, seal gaps with tape or wet cloths and stay tuned to official channels for updates.

Call emergency services immediately. Give them your exact location, describe what you saw or smelled, say if anyone is injured, and share any label, container, or product name if available. If you’re in South Africa, you can call the local emergency number (for example, 10111 for police) and your local medical or fire services.

Preventing, reporting, and following up

Workplaces should have a chemical incident plan and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for substances on site. If you work around chemicals, know the evacuation routes and the location of spill kits, eyewash stations, and PPE. Don’t store incompatible chemicals together and keep containers labelled and sealed.

After an incident, report it to local environmental or health authorities. In many places there are hotlines for pollution or hazardous waste—look these up for your area and save them on your phone. Share clear, verified information only; don’t spread rumours or photos that might cause panic.

If you were exposed, see a doctor even if you feel fine. Some effects show up later. Tell medical staff what the chemical was, how long you were exposed, and any symptoms. Keep records of the incident—time, place, witnesses, and photos—because authorities and insurers will need details.

Communities can reduce risk by staying informed, pushing for safer storage of chemicals at industry sites, and demanding clear emergency plans from local businesses. Simple changes—proper labelling, secure storage, and regular training—cut the chance of a dangerous incident.

Stay calm, get to fresh air, call for help, and follow instructions from responders. Quick, safe action saves lives and limits harm to neighbors and the environment.