Fire and Rescue NSW warns flood-affected households about hazardous materials threats - NSW
Published: 06 Jun 2025 11:23am
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has issued a warning to residents, affected by the recent floods, to use caution around hazardous materials in and around the home.
A range of household chemicals and fluids may be among the materials compromised by the floodwaters.
Households are urged to carefully check items that might have been damaged, displaced or disturbed as properties were inundated, such as:
- Smoke alarms
- Batteries
- LPG cylinders
- Paints, polishes, varnishes and stains
- Solvents including paint thinners and turpentine
- Garden chemicals
- Pesticides
- Fertilisers
- Pool chemicals
- Fuel supplies
- Brake fluids and coolants
- Unidentified powders
- Car care products
- Acids and alkalis
- Cleaning products
Hazardous materials, collected from flood-affected properties, must be set aside for specialist disposal as directed by your local council.
Community Recycling Centres take household problem waste for free.
To find your nearest centre and for full details about what you can drop off, visit NSW EPA.
If residents discover exposed asbestos as a result of the flood emergency, it must be safely removed by a licensed asbestos removalist.
The public should not try to handle animal carcasses…instead contact local authorities.
FRNSW encourages residents to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when cleaning up and clearing properties after the weather event.
This includes enclosed footwear, gloves, masks and protective eyewear if required.
Ventilate flooded buildings to prevent harmful mould. Be cautious when cleaning mould.
Do not use a dry brush as it can spread the mould and release spores into the air.
Taree Fire Station Officer, Peter Willard, warned residents not to approach any substance if you are not sure what it is.
“If a HAZMAT threat is identified, isolate the area, inform Fire and Rescue NSW and/or other authorities by calling Triple Zero (000) and remove yourself from harm’s way,” Station Officer Willard said.
“If you see danger signs, fumes, a chemical name, or people with symptoms, treat it as HAZMAT incident until proven otherwise.”
The following sites may assist:
- Recycling and Safe Disposal of Chemicals and Batteries - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=304 [external link]
- Household pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers -https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=303 [external link]
- Living in temporary accommodation during bushfire recovery and rebuilding - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9331 [external link]
- Chemical safety and storage - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9219 [external link]
- Lithium-ion batteries: shop, charge, and recycle safely - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9426 [external link]
Updated: 06 Jun 2025 09:28am
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Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]