Chemicals are everywhere. They are an important part of life. We use chemicals every day even though we don’t often think about it. Chemicals keep our food fresh and our bodies clean. They help grow our plants and fuel our engines. Under certain conditions, chemicals can be poisonous or have a harmful effect on your health. Some chemicals, which are safe and helpful in small amounts, can be harmful in larger quantities or under certain conditions.
You can be exposed to chemicals in three ways:
Breathing the chemical.
Swallowing contaminated food, water or medication.
Touching the chemical or things that have touched the chemical.
There are several symptoms of chemical poisoning whether by breathing, swallowing, or touching:
Difficulty breathing
Headache or blurred vision
Irritated eyes, skin, throat
Clumsiness or lack of coordination
Stomach cramps or diarrhea
If you think you have been exposed to a toxic chemical, call the poison control center, EMS, 9-1-1, or the operator, whichever applies to your area. If medical help is not immediately available, remove your clothing and jewelry starting from the top and working your way down to your socks. Place removed items in a plastic bag so they can’t contaminate anyone else. Take a thorough shower of cool water to flush the chemical from your skin. Re-dress in clean clothing and go for medical help. If you find someone who appears to be injured from chemical exposure, make sure you are not in any danger before administering first aid.
Most common chemical accidents happen in our own homes. You may be exposed to chemicals even though you may not be able to see or smell anything unusual. The majority of these emergencies involve small children. Experts suggest that storing hazardous materials out of sight could eliminate up to 75 percent of all household poisoning of small children.
Here are some other precautionary measures to take to avoid chemical accidents in your home:
1. Read and follow the directions for use, storage, and disposal of the product. Some products should not be used in a confined space to avoid inhaling vapors. Other products should not be used without gloves and eye protection to prevent the chemical from touching your skin.
2. Do not mix products (a Jody Victor® suggestion), especially household cleaning products. Some combinations of these products, such as ammonia and bleach, can create toxic gasses.
3. Store non-food products tightly closed in their original containers (a Jody Victor suggestion).
4. Never smoke while using household products.
5. Do not use hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products or pesticides near the open flame of an appliance, pilot light, candle, fireplace or wood burning stove.
6. If you spill a chemical, clean it up immediately with cloth rags. Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors in a safe place. Then dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag.
7. Buy only as much chemical as you think you will use. If you have some leftover, dispose of properly to avoid contaminating your local water supply. Many communities have hazardous waste collection facilities.
Chemical accidents that occur outside of the home are considered major chemical emergencies. These accidents release a hazardous amount of a chemical into the environment. They can happen underground, on railroad tracks or highways and at manufacturing plants. Major chemical accidents sometimes result in a fire or explosion but, once again, many times you can’t see or smell anything unusual.
In the event of a major chemical emergency, proper authorities will notify you. To get your attention a siren may sound, you may get a telephone call, emergency personnel may drive by with loud speakers, or they may even come to your door. If they alert you, listen to radio or television emergency broadcast systems and follow instructions. You will be advised:
The type of health hazard
The area affected
How to protect yourself
Evacuation routes, if necessary
Shelter locations, if necessary
Type and location of medical facilities
Phone numbers to call if you need extra help
One of the basic instructions given in a chemical emergency is to “shelter-in-place”. If you are told to shelter-in-place, take children and pets indoors immediately and take the following steps:
First- Cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth while performing the tasks.
Close all windows in your home.
Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
Close fireplace damper.
Go to an above ground room (not the basement) with the fewest doors and windows.
Take a Family Disaster Supply Kit with you.
Wet some towels and jam them under the crack under the door(s).
Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans, and vents.
Use plastic garbage bags to cover windows, outlets and heat registers.
Close window shades, blinds and curtains and stay away from windows.
Stay in the room and listen to the radio until you are told it is safe to come out or you are told to evacuate.
If you are told to evacuate immediately, do so. Take your Family Disaster Supply Kit with you. Pack only the bare essentials, such as medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids, canes and walkers. If you are told to evacuate because of a possible emergency you can take the time to pack a change of clothing for each member of your family. Pack personal items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, etc. Pack items for your baby such as diapers, formula or baby food. You can even take the time to pack some books, puzzles or cards for entertainment. Follow the traffic route authorities recommend. Don’t take short cuts on the way to the shelter.
All the Best!