Which precaution should always be taken when using hazardous cleaning products?

Wearing rubber gloves when using hazardous cleaning products is crucial because it provides a necessary barrier between the skin and potentially harmful chemicals. Many cleaning agents can cause skin irritation, burns, or allergic reactions upon contact. By wearing gloves, you minimize the risk of direct exposure, thus enhancing safety during the cleaning process. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE), like gloves, is an essential precaution that helps ensure the user remains safe while handling these substances.

Closing off the area is another important safety measure that can help prevent unintentional exposure to others. However, the requirement to do this varies based on the specific product and context, making it less universally applicable than wearing gloves.

Sniffing the chemical first is an unsafe practice, as it increases the risk of inhaling harmful fumes. This behavior should always be avoided, as it does not reflect proper safety protocols when dealing with hazardous materials.

Therefore, while precautions like closing off areas may be important in specific scenarios, wearing rubber gloves is a universally recommended and essential practice that protects individuals during the handling of any hazardous cleaning product.