|
| |
|
|
|
|
Household Chemical
Emergencies
|
|
|
Display Visual
|
|
Household Chemicals
Knowing how to handle
these products and
how to react during an
emergency
can reduce the risk of
injury.
|
|
|
|
|
Explain that nearly every household uses products that contain hazardous
materials. Stress that while the risk of a chemical accident is slight,
knowing how to handle these household chemicals and how to react during an
emergency can reduce the risk of injury.
|
|
|
Ask Question
|
|
|
What are some of the symptoms of poisoning? |
|
|
|
|
|
Allow the participants time to respond. Summarize the
discussion using the visual.
|
|
Display Visual
|
|
Symptoms of Poisoning
§
Difficulty breathing
§
Irritation of eyes, skin, throat, or respiratory tract
§
Changes in skin color
§
Headaches, blurred vision, dizziness
§
Clumsiness or lack of coordination
§
Cramps or diarrhea
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Household Chemical
Emergencies (Continued)
|
|
|
|
Explain that the symptoms of poisoning include:
§
Difficulty breathing.
§
Irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, or respiratory tract.
§
Changes in skin color.
§
Headaches, blurred vision, or dizziness.
§
Clumsiness or lack of coordination.
§
Cramps or diarrhea.
|
|
|
Ask Question
|
|
|
How can you protect yourself from household chemical emergencies? |
|
|
|
|
|
Allow the participants time to respond. Then, use the
visual to discuss preparedness.
|
|
Display Visual
|
|
Chemical Emergency
Preparedness
§
Limit
§
Isolate
§
Eliminate
§
Separate
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Household Chemical
Emergencies (Continued)
|
|
|
|
Tell the group that the best way to protect themselves
from household chemical emergencies is to use the L.I.E.S. procedure.
§
Limit
the amount of
hazardous materials in storage.
§
Isolate
products in
approved containers, store them inside enclosed cabinets, and protect them
from sources of ignition.
§
Eliminate
products that are no longer necessary
by disposing of them properly.
§
Separate
incompatible materials
(e.g., chlorine products and ammonia).
Urge the participants to read the label on any product
and to follow all safety precautions recommended by the manufacturer.
|
|
|
Ask Question
|
|
|
How should household chemicals be disposed of? |
|
|
|
|
|
Tell the group that various chemicals require different
methods of disposal. Stress the importance of following instructions
on the product label and consulting with local agencies if they have
questions on proper disposal. Use the visuals to discuss recommended
disposal methods.
|
|
|
Ask Question
|
|
|
What are some safe-handling tips for household chemicals? |
|
|
|
|
|
Use the visual to discuss safe-handling tips.
|
|
|
|
Household Chemical
Emergencies (Continued)
|
|
Display Visual
|
|
Household Chemical
Safety
§
Read directions before using.
§
Store in safe, secure location.
§
Avoid mixing chemical products.
§
Never smoke while using chemicals.
§
Clean up spills immediately.
|
|
|
|
|
Explain that to ensure the safe handling of chemicals in
the household, the participants should:
§
Read all directions before using a new chemical product. Be sure to store
household chemicals according to the instructions on the label.
§
Store chemicals in a safe, secure location,
out of the reach of children.
§
Avoid mixing household chemical products.
Deadly fumes can result from the mixture of chemicals such as chlorine
bleach and ammonia.
§
Never smoke while using household chemicals.
Avoid using hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products, or pesticides
near an open flame, pilot light, lighted candle, fireplace, wood-burning
stove, etc. Although you may not be able to see or smell it, vapor could
catch fire or explode.
§
If you spill a chemical, clean it up immediately with rags.
Be careful to protect your eyes and skin (wear gloves and eye protection).
Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors, then dispose of the rags
by wrapping them in a newspaper and placing them in a sealed plastic bag in
your trash can.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Household Chemical
Emergencies (Continued)
|
|
|
|
Provide the participants with the following additional
recommendations:
§
Post the number of the nearest poison control center near all
telephones. In an emergency situation, they may not have time to look up
critical phone numbers.
§
Learn to detect hazardous materials. Many hazardous materials do not
have a taste or an odor, and some can be detected because they cause
physical reactions such as watering eyes or nausea. Other hazardous
materials exist beneath the ground and can be recognized by an oil or
foam-like appearance.
§
Learn to recognize the symptoms of poisoning.
|
|
|
Ask Question
|
|
|
What should you do if a household chemical emergency occurs? |
|
|
|
|
|
Allow the participants time to respond. Summarize the
discussion using the visual.
|
|
Display Visual
|
|
During a Household Chemical Emergency
§
If poison is consumed:
·
Find containers immediately.
·
Call poison-control center, follow instructions.
§
If chemical gets into the eyes:
·
Follow emergency instructions on container.
·
Seek medical attention.
§
If a fire or explosion occurs:
·
Evacuate residence immediately.
·
Move upwind to avoid breathing toxic fumes.
·
Call the fire department from outside.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Household Chemical
Emergencies (Continued)
|
|
|
|
Be sure to cover the following points:
§
If a poisonous substance is consumed:
·
Find any containers immediately. Medical professionals may need specific
information from the container(s) to provide the best emergency advice.
·
Call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 and, if directed,
9-1-1 or local emergency
number. Follow the emergency operator or dispatcher’s instructions
carefully. Do not give anything by mouth until medical professionals have
advised you.
§
If a chemical gets into the eyes:
·
Follow the emergency instructions on the container.
·
Continue the cleansing process even if the victim indicates that he or she is no
longer feeling any pain, and then seek medical attention.
|
|
|
|
§
If there is a fire or explosion:
·
Evacuate
the residence immediately.
·
Move upwind and away to avoid breathing toxic fumes.
·
Call the fire department from outside (using a cellular phone or a neighbor’s
phone) and safely away from the danger.
|
|
|
|
Emphasize the following additional measures that the
participants should take in case of a household chemical emergency:
§
Wash hands, arms, or other exposed body parts
that may have been exposed to the chemical. Chemicals may continue to
irritate the skin until they are washed off.
§
Discard clothing that may have been contaminated. Some chemicals may not wash out
completely. Discarding clothes will prevent potential future exposure.
|
|
|
|
Household Chemical
Emergencies (Continued)
|
|
|
|
§
Administer first-aid treatment to victims of chemical burns. Follow these steps
to administer first aid:
·
Call 9-1-1
for emergency help.
·
Remove clothing and jewelry from around the injury.
·
Pour clean, cool water over the burn for 15 to 30 minutes.
·
Loosely cover the burn with a sterile or clean dressing. Be sure
that the dressing will not stick to the burn.
·
Refer the victim to a medical professional for further treatment.
Ask the participants if anyone has additional questions,
comments, or concerns about household chemical emergencies.
|
|
