Check the Box: Resources
Interested in licensing the Check the Box materials? PHMSA encourages all interested entities to contact ChecktheBox@dot.gov for licensing information.
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Check the Box General Fact Sheet This fact sheet includes a look at real life incidents that involved undeclared hazmat. Feel free to share this resource to increase awareness of the serious safety risks of undeclared hazmat! |
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This brochure raises awareness of the of the many types of common items that are hazardous for transportation and introduces the requirements of hazmat shipping. Feel free to share this resource and keep an eye out for these items before shipping! Check the Box Brochure (Español) |
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Our first campaign poster introducing the Check the Box initiative. Feel free to print and display in your office or shipping facility to promote the initiative! |
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Is Hazardous Matt Hiding in Your Activity Book? In this coloring and activity book, Hazardous Matt and Friends are here to help kids learn about household hazardous materials! This book is free to print and share—just choose the proper size settings for your printer. |
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Check the Box Outdoors brochure Did you know that some of the supplies that you bring camping, hiking, or hunting are considered hazardous materials? This brochure provides information on transporting common outdoors-related hazmat, and connects to additional DOT safety resources for further details. |
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PHMSA has developed this brochure to increase awareness that strike-anywhere matches are considered hazardous materials for shipping purposes and are prohibited to be shipped by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and summarize the requirements to ship them via other carriers. PHMSA and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) as part of the Check the Box® campaign hope to decrease the number of undeclared shipments of strike-anywhere matches. |
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Flammable Liquids Fact Sheet - Do you need to ship paints, wood stains, or adhesives? Many household care items like these can be flammable liquids. If they are flammable, they are hazardous materials and you must follow specific shipping provisions to send these items safely! |
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Dry Ice Fact Sheet - If you are shipping perishable goods, such as food items or medicines, you may be including dry ice in your package to keep the contents cool. Many express or overnight shipments like these will end up on an aircraft. That’s why it’s important to follow PHMSA’s guidelines on hazardous materials packaging to ensure your package gets shipped safely and without delay! |
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Batteries Fact Sheet - Do you need to ship a laptop, cell phone, or other device that contains a lithium battery? These batteries (and devices) are regulated as hazardous materials with potential dangers including short circuits or damage that can result in sparks and fires! Because of this, batteries and devices containing batteries must be packaged properly to prevent damage, and the package must display certain information |
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Aerosols Fact Sheet- Are you shipping hairsprays, cleaners, spray paints, or any other aerosol products? Aerosols are pressurized containers that hold compressed gases that expel liquids, pastes, or powders from the container. Often, these products are shipped as “limited quantity” shipments. But, what is “limited quantity” and how do you ship it? |
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Sending or receiving beauty products in the mail or by courier delivery? You’re responsible for properly classifying what you’re shipping prior to offering it into the transportation system—and that means you need to know what constitutes a hazardous material, and how to ship it safely. |
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Sending or receiving home improvement-related items in the mail or by courier delivery? You’re responsible for properly classifying what you’re shipping prior to offering it into the transportation system—and that means you need to know what constitutes a hazardous material, and how to ship it safely. |
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You’re responsible for properly classifying what you’re selling prior to offering it into the transportation system—and that means you need to know what constitutes a hazardous material, and how to ship it safely. |
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"Check the Box" to Avoid Improper Shipment of Dangerous Goods This video introduces the Check the Box initiative. Undeclared and improperly packaged hazardous materials can be dangerous in transportation. Shipping dangerous goods without proper designation, packaging, and handling instructions puts people’s lives at risk. Check the Box provides greater awareness of common household items that are classified as hazardous materials and how to safely ship them. |
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Is Hazardous Matt hiding in your package? This video introduces Hazardous Matt. Certain common household items may seem harmless, but they can be toxic, corrosive, and even explosive if sent or handled inappropriately. Hazardous Matt can pose a significant safety risk while being transported, which is why he requires specific packaging, marking, and labeling to ensure proper handling and safe transport. |
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“Time to Recharge” is an eye-catching poster reminding viewers that, while rechargeable batteries offer convenience in our daily lives, they're also hazardous materials that require proper handling. |
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"Cold as Ice" showcases a cheerful Hazardous Matt nestled in a box of dry ice, delivering an important reminder that this everyday cooling agent is actually regulated as hazardous material and must be packaged correctly before shipping by air. |
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"Garage Bandits" features Hazardous Matt and his bandmates practicing the safe transportation of hazardous materials. This rock-and-roll-themed poster reminds viewers to properly pack and secure household chemicals, paints, and other common garage hazards before transportation. |
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"Weighing in on Aerosols" depicts a cheerful aerosol can perched on a post office scale, cleverly illustrating weight restrictions for shipping these pressurized products. This retro-styled poster reminds viewers about the 66-pound package limit for aerosols to ensure everyone's safety during transport. |
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"Once in a Blue Moon" features a pair of friendly DOT-39 propane cylinders camping under a blue moon, reminding viewers that – while rare – incidents involving hazardous materials can occur. |
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"Happy Requalification Day" sees a propane cylinder celebrating an important safety milestone, birthday-style, highlighting the often-misunderstood requirement that most propane cylinders must be requalified after their first 12 years. |
