Grand Ridge- Methyl-chloride, ammonia, and sodium hydroxide are just a few of the potentially deadly chemicals rolling through our towns on trucks and trains.

And sometimes the trips don't go as planned, like two weeks ago in Jackson County.

"About fourteen days ago we did have a train derailment in the Grand Ridge area. It did involve some hazardous material," said Jackson County hazmat technician Chuck Sawyer.

One of the train cars contained a potentially harmful refrigerant called methyl-chloride.

"It was really frightening because around these areas a lot of the homes are right at the railroad tracks," said Jackson County resident Carol Sheffield.

Luckily none of the chemical leaked, and Sawyer credited better-built tankers.

"They probably have like three different layers to them, anywhere from half inch steel to eleven gauge steel," said Sawyer.

But it took tragedies like the one in Youngstown back in 1978 to make those safety advancements. Eight people were killed by a cloud of chlorine gas from a derailed tanker car.

"They were driving into it off of Highway 231 and just not recognizing," said Sawyer.

Sawyer said knowing what's around you is one of the most important safety tips experts are emphasizing this week.

"Always look close at it because you don't know what they might be shipping," said Sawyer.

This may surprise you, but Sawyer said UPS is one of the largest carriers of hazardous materials in small quantities.