<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Cleaning products and poison concerns: Staying safe during COVID-19<br></div><div class="gmail_quote">
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During the pandemic, fear of spreading germs has turned average people into<br>
virtual germaphobes. Most of us are cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing<br>
every high-touch surface in our homes, cars and workplaces. But going too<br>
far or failing to use safety precautions can also pose serious risks.<br>
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<br>
<br>
Calls to the Drug and Poison Information Center for exposure to cleaners and<br>
disinfectants increased dramatically in March and April. Cleaning products<br>
have the potential to be toxic if used incorrectly. In fact, it is the #2<br>
reason why people call poison centers in the US. Some concerning trends<br>
include mixing cleaning products, children getting into dangerous cleaning<br>
supplies, and both children and older adults accidently ingesting cleaning<br>
products.<br>
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<br>
Some examples include a one-year-old caught possibly ingesting hand<br>
sanitizer, a 63-year-old who mixed bleach, ammonia and multi-surface cleaner<br>
together in hot water and inhaled the fumes, a toddler who sprayed himself<br>
in the eyes with bleach cleaner, and an older adult who left bleach in a cup<br>
on the counter and accidently picked up the cup and drank from it.<br>
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Fortunately, none of them were seriously hurt. However, these cases<br>
highlight the potential dangers of mixing chemicals and how easily accidents<br>
can happen. So, here are a few warnings and tips on how to safely disinfect<br>
your home.<br>
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Warnings<br>
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* Do not mix cleaning products. Combining certain products,<br>
especially those including bleach and ammonia, can produce very harmful<br>
fumes.Inhaling could cause coughing and serious breathing problems.<br>
<br>
* Do not ingest cleaning products. Drinking bleach or other<br>
chemicals will not prevent COVID-19 infections and could cause serious<br>
injury.<br>
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* Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine. While these prescription<br>
medicines are used to treat some medical conditions, Chloroquine and<br>
hydroxychloroquine can cause serious illness and death when taken<br>
inappropriately, or in overdose. If this medication is prescribed to you,<br>
follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not take these<br>
medications if they are not prescribed to you.<br>
<br>
* Azithromycin. This antibiotic is used to treat or prevent<br>
infections, most commonly associated with the lungs. However, inappropriate<br>
use can lead to unwanted bacterial resistance along with mild symptoms of<br>
stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness.<br>
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How to safely disinfect -The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<br>
recommends using diluted bleach solutions on frequently-touched surfaces.<br>
Hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60% is recommended for<br>
killing COVID-19 on the hands, especially when soap and water is<br>
unavailable.<br>
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To safely disinfect for COVID-19, the Drug and Poison Information Center<br>
recommends using and storing cleaning products by:<br>
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* Keeping products 'up and away,' out of the sight and reach of<br>
children and pets. Children under the age of 6 are the most likely to<br>
mistake a cleaning product for something to eat or drink.<br>
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* Leaving products in their original, labeled containers. If you<br>
transfer a cleaning product into a food or beverage container someone may<br>
accidentally swallow it. This can cause problems for the stomach.<br>
<br>
* Covering skin and eyes. Some cleaning products, including bleach,<br>
are caustic. This means that they can cause burns when swallowed or<br>
sprayed/splashed into the skin or eyes.<br>
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* Supervising young children if they are helping you clean. Children<br>
commonly lick their hands, and while a taste of bleach is unlikely to be a<br>
problem, more significant quantities can cause symptoms.<br>
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* If someone becomes exposed to or ingests a cleaning product call<br>
the Drug and Poison Information Center at <br>
<br>
800-222-1222<br>
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</div><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature" dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><font size="4">Dave Bertsch</font></div><div><font size="4">330-472-4084</font></div></div></div></div>