How to store dry ice
Where and how to keep dry ice safely, and why it must never be sealed in an airtight container.
Use a vented, insulated container
Keep dry ice in an insulated box or cool bag, such as an expanded polystyrene box. The thicker the insulation, the slower it turns to gas.
Never seal it in an airtight container, bottle or sealed bag. As it warms it turns to carbon dioxide gas, and trapped gas can burst the container. Leave the lid loose or vented.
Choose a ventilated place
Store it somewhere with good airflow. Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and can build up in small, closed spaces such as cars, cellars, walk-in fridges and cold rooms, where it displaces oxygen.
Do not keep dry ice in a sealed room, a domestic freezer or a standard fridge.
Handle with care
Wear insulated gloves and eye protection. Skin contact causes cold burns within seconds. Never touch it with bare hands and never swallow it. Keep it away from children and pets.