Avoid Accidental Poisonings This Spring

National Poison Prevention Week, March 14-20 Spring break, spring cleaning and why the poison center sees spike in calls due to accidental poisonings

PHOENIX – Spring is here, which means lots of folks will be taking advantage of the nice weather to do some annual household cleaning and yard work. That is why the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center is reminding people to have one phone number top of mind (1-800-222-1222), as spring tends to be the time of year people need them most.

“As the weather warms up, you can expect to see scorpions, rattlesnakes and other desert critters making their appearances,” said Frank LoVecchio, D.O., co-medical director of the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center. “People also make common mistakes with cleaning products that can make them very sick. That is why we want to make sure people know who to call if they run into desert critters or are using toxic chemicals to clean up around the house. One phone call to the poison center could prevent a costly trip to the emergency room.”

The Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center received more than 107,000 calls last year. The free service, available to all Maricopa County residents, is staffed by doctors and nurses who are available immediately to answer everything from what to do if you’re stung by a scorpion to information about medications and drug interactions.

Below are common accidental poisonings that the poison center receives calls on each spring, along with tips for how to prevent:

Household Cleaners and Other Chemical Products*

• Keep all products in the containers they came in. Do not use food containers (such as cups or bottles) to store household cleaners and other strong chemicals.
• Store all chemicals away from food. Many poisonings occur when one product is mistaken for another.
• Read and follow the directions for use of products. Do this BEFORE using the products. Follow the advice carefully.
• Never mix chemicals. Doing so can create a poisonous gas.
• Turn on fans and open windows when using strong chemicals.
• When spraying chemicals, direct spray nozzle away from people and pets.
• Never sniff containers to see what’s inside.
• Discard old or outdated products. First aid advice on containers may be incorrect and outdated.
• Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) to double check first aid information.
• Even in small amounts, windshield wiper fluid is poisonous. If swallowed, it can cause blindness or death to people and pets.
• Strong chemicals can burn the skin. Drain openers, toilet cleaners, rust removers and oven cleaners can cause such burns.
• Hydrocarbon liquids (liquids made from petroleum) are poisonous. They include gasoline, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, baby oil, lamp oil, and furniture polish.  If hydrocarbons are swallowed, they can easily get into the lungs. Even a small amount can cause breathing problems. The liquid coats the inside of the lungs. That prevents oxygen from entering the blood stream.

Pesticides*

• Pesticides (pest killers) can be taken in through the skin or inhaled. Even leather shoes and gloves do not offer full protection. Pesticides can be extremely poisonous. Stay away from areas that have been sprayed until the spray has dried or for at least one hour.
• Wear protective clothing when using bug spray or other spray products. Put on a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, socks, shoes, and gloves. Remove and wash clothing after using chemicals.
• If pesticides are splashed onto the skin or eyes, rinse with running water for 15 to 20 minutes and call the poison control center. If pesticide contacts clothing, take off the clothing before rinsing skin.
• Many garden chemicals are poisonous to children and adults. These chemicals can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled.

Pool Chemicals

Pool chemicals can be dangerous. Open containers should always be kept in well-ventilated areas. In addition, mixing pool chemicals can cause dangerous gasses—chlorine and chloramines. It can also result in explosions and fire. Please remember to never mix the following:

• Different types of pool chlorine products in skimmer baskets or buckets.
• Chlorine products with algaecides or ammonia in buckets or containers.
• Chlorine products in containers or buckets with acid.

Bites and Stings*

The Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center received more than 13,000 calls last year related to bites and stings. Here are things to remember this spring as you prepare to do yard work:

• Be alert to insects that may bite or sting. After a sting, the site will show redness and swelling. It may be itchy and painful. Call the poison control center for first aid.
• Some people are allergic to insect stings. To these people, a sting may cause serious problems and even death. If you are stung and have any of these signs: hives, dizziness, breathing trouble, or swelling around eyes and mouth, call 911.
• If a poisonous snake bites you or someone you know, call the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center (1-800-222-1222) right away.

The experts at your poison center will determine if the snake is poisonous. They will tell you what to do.

If the snake is not poisonous, you will need to wash the wound. You also may need a tetanus booster shot. Call the poison control center.

As the weather warms up, so do the scorpions. For information on scorpions or if someone is stung, call the poison center for first aid.

* Tips provided by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Published on behalf of Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center
The Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center is just a phone call away, and can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. The center provides a free, 24-hour emergency telephone service for both residents and medical professionals of Maricopa County. For more information, visit  Banner Good Samaritan Point and Drug Information Center website.

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center has been providing medical care to Arizona and the Southwest since 1911. Banner Good Samaritan is owned and operated by Phoenix-based Banner Health, a non-profit organization. The hospital was named to the 2009-’10 U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” list for Gynecology, Heart & Heart Surgery and Kidney Disorders. Banner Good Samaritan has been recognized as a Magnet™ facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the highest honor a hospital can earn for its nursing care and practices, and has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Valley by The Phoenix Business Journal and BestCompaniesAZ in 2007 and 2008 and one of the “Top 100 Hospitals to Work For” by Nursing Professionals magazine.  For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com.

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