Florida’s Poison Control Centers – Jacksonville wants to help families swing into summer, and to do so with safety in mind.
“From snake bites and jellyfish stings, to pool chemical accidents and foodborne illnesses, poisonings increase during the summer,” said Dr. Dawn Solee, center director, in a news release.
“The kids are home from school, families are traveling and more people are outdoors – this leads to more exposures,” said Solee.
Here are some summer safety tips to follow:
- Pool chemical safety: Ensure you are in a well-ventilated area when using pool chemicals, and follow product instructions carefully. Do not store chemicals where flammable items may mix, and never mix pool chemicals because it could create a toxic gas. Keep all chemicals stored up and away from children.
- Snake bites: If someone has been bitten by a venomous snake, call the poison control center or, in dire circumstances, call 911. If bitten, remove jewelry and tight clothes, immobilize the extremity, keep the affected area at or below the heart, and wash the area gently. Do not feed the victim, place ice on the bite or apply a tourniquet.
- Insect repellent usage: Read and follow all instructions carefully. Do not use on a child’s hands, eyes, mouth or cut/irritated skin. Spray into an adult’s hands and then apply to the child. Do not use combination sunscreen/repellent products. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied, and repellent should not be reapplied. After returning indoors, wash skin with soap and water.
- Other outdoor hazards: At the beach, keep a spray bottle of vinegar handy for jellyfish stings. If stung, call poison control for treatment advice. For spider bites, call the poison control center immediately. Apply a baking soda paste to common insect stings, then call poison control for more specific advice. Treat all wild mushrooms as poisonous, unless you are absolutely certain they are OK to eat.
Florida’s Poison Control Center can be reached at 800-222-1222, 24 hours a day.
For more information, visit FloridaPoisonControl.org.
Published June 23, 2021
