As the holidays approach, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) wants to remind us to check for hazardous material (hazmat) in our packages before shipping gifts to friends and neighbors.
Sending packages can get tricky, especially if hazmat is hiding in one of these packages. Certain items such as batteries and common household items may seem harmless, but they can be toxic, corrosive, and even explosive if handled inappropriately. That’s why it’s important for us to always Check the Box and make sure the package is safe to send.
Before we offer hazmat for shipment, —the shipper—is responsible for properly classifying and packaging material with the correct hazard communications (e.g., marks, labels, and shipping documentation).
PHMSA released a video reminding consumers to Check the Box this holiday season. Watch here.
For more information, visit www.checkthebox.dot.gov.
