HealthyLife Articles

Tag: chemicals

  • Poison Prevention Starts At Home

    WELL-BEING

    Image of posion cans with warning labels.

    Did you know more than 90 percent of all poisonings happen at home? While children are affected the most, people of all ages can be harmed by poisoning. Here’s what to know to make your home safe.

    Caring for cleaners

    Do not mix household cleaners or other products. The chemicals in these products can create a toxic gas when mixed. Never mix bleach with ammonia products or other cleaners. Use only one product at a time.

    Keep cleaners, chemicals, medicines, and anything that could be poisonous locked up and put away.

    Mindful of medicines

    Never share prescription medicines with anyone. The other person may not be able to safely take your medicine. Or, they could be taking another medicine that isn’t safe when mixed with yours. Make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows about all medicines you are taking.

    Keep all medicines clearly labeled with the type of medicine and dosage. If you don’t understand your medicine or how much to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

    Don’t try to take medicines in the dark, because you could accidentally take the wrong one. Keep all medicines, even over-the-counter ones, put away and out of reach of children.

    Battery safety

    Treat batteries like poison. Keep them away from children.

    The small, round “button” batteries are especially dangerous because they are easy for children to swallow. A swallowed battery can cause permanent damage to the throat and even death within just a couple of hours.

    Beware of e-cigarettes

    E-Cigarettes are shaped like cigarettes but they contain a small heater and battery. The “juice” used inside these devices contains high levels of nicotine. Even a tiny amount of the juice from e-cigarettes can cause poisoning in a child. It can cause seizures and even death.

    Keep e-cigarettes away from children at all times. If you throw used e-cigarette juice in the trash, wrap it up and take it outside or someplace where a child cannot get to it.

    Know the number

    If you think you or someone else has been exposed to poison, call (800) 222-1222. This connects you to your local poison center. The call is free and confidential. They can tell you what to do next. Do not try to treat poisoning yourself with home remedies.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Killer Household Products

    Home Safety

    Harmful drugs could be right under your nose.

    Spray paint, gasoline, glue, hair spray, and cleaning products become drugs when their vapors are inhaled on purpose to get “high.” Inhalants are easy to get and are among the most popular and deadly substances that teens abuse.

    The highs and lows

    At first, the effects of sniffing or snorting fumes are like drinking alcohol. But feeling giddy and less inhibited lasts only a few minutes. Continued use of the inhalant is needed to feel “high” longer. Breathing in chemical fumes replaces oxygen in the lungs. As a result, repeated use can cause:

    *  Death (even from one session of repeated use of the inhalant)

    *  Liver, kidney, and bone marrow problems

    *  Heart rhythm problems and heart failure

    *  Headaches

    *  Dizziness

    *  Confusion

    *  Delusions

    Also, the use of inhalants over time can cause health problems that cannot be reversed:

    *  Hearing loss

    *  Problems with learning and memory

    *  Muscle spasms

    Signs of inhalant use:

    *  Chemical smell on clothing or breath

    *  Drunk, dazed, or dizzy look

    *  Slurred speech

    *  Sores around the nose or mouth

    *  Paint or other chemical stains on fingers

    *  Empty spray paint bottles or rags hidden in closets

    If you suspect that a family member is using inhalants, get medical help without delay.

    Action Step

    Talk to your kids about the dangers of inhalants. Find out more fromwww.inhalants.drugabuse.gov.

    Ways to Well-Being book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Avoiding Chemicals In The Home

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of variety of cleaning supplies.

    Many common household items contain chemicals. Not all chemicals are bad for your health, but some can be harmful. To keep yourself and your family healthy, it’s best to take steps to reduce or avoid chemicals that could be unsafe.

    Did you know possible toxic substances can be found in cleaning products, furniture, carpet and shower curtains? Here’s how to avoid unsafe levels of toxins:

    *Read labels carefully.Many cleaning products have warnings and directions for how to use them. Follow these carefully. For instance, if it says, “use in a well-ventilated area,” you should be sure to open a window to the outside.

    *Be aware of odors.If something gives you a headache, sore throat or makes you cough, this may be a sign that you shouldn’t use it anymore.

    *Protect your skin.Wear gloves when using cleaning products and wash your hands after cleaning. Don’t let children use products with any chemicals in them like bleach, ammonia or strong cleaning ingredients.

    *Get checked for lead.If you live in a home built before 1980, ask your local health department how you can get your home and water checked for lead. You can’t see, smell or taste lead. Lead is harmful to the brain and affects children’s development. Find out if your home is at risk and take steps to get it removed, if needed.

    *Avoid pesticides whenever possible.Contact professional pest control companies for insect problems.

    *Choose fragrance-free products when possible.Many fragrances contain chemicals that disrupt hormone functions in the body. Also, some people are sensitive to fragrances.

    *Replace old nonstick pans that look worn or scratched.They may contain chemicals that can get into your food.

    *Look for cleaning products that have the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Safer Choice” label.For more information, visitwww.epa.gov/saferchoice/products.

    If someone in your home may have ingested a poisonous product, call The American Association of Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222.

    Remove dust for a healthier home

    Did you know household dust often contains chemicals and toxins from your home? A good way to reduce your exposure to them is to keep dust down. Try these tips:

    *  Choose non-toxic or “Safer Choice” cleaning products. White vinegar is an effective non-toxic cleaner for many surfaces.

    *  Use a damp rag without chemicals to dust.

    *  Clean floors with a damp mop or a steam-only mop.

    *  Vacuum floors regularly and use a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

    *  Open windows to bring in fresh air whenever possible.

    *  Change furnace and air filters regularly.

    *  Wash hands often.

    Source: National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine