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Be aware of holiday poison dangers

CHARLESTON – The Fourth of July is a holiday often filled with family, friends, fireworks and food, but the West Virginia Poison Center wants to remind residents of ways to stay poison safe during their holiday festivities.

Poisonings are the most common when normal routines are interrupted, especially during holidays or parties.

The West Virginia Poison Center offers these poison safety tips during Fourth of July celebrations.

Although glow sticks and jewelry are not usually a problem, discourage children and pets from biting on them with their teeth. Leaking fluid can irritate the skin, eye or stomach.

While the biggest danger from fireworks is burns, some fireworks can be poisonous if ingested. Keep fireworks out of reach of small children and pets. Better yet, avoid buying smaller fireworks, like snakes, if young children will be present.

Lighter fluid for barbeques or fire pits and lamp oil refills for tiki torches can cause serious injury or death if any gets into the lungs after swallowing. Tiki torch fuel can look like apple juice and is often sold in containers that look like juice containers. To prevent accidental poisonings, do not use drinking cups to transfer lighter fluid. Always keep these products in their original container and away from children.

Alcoholic beverages can pose a risk to children and pets. Keep all alcoholic beverages out of reach of children and pets and immediately clean up any left-over containers following festivities.

To avoid food poisoning during warm weather gatherings, keep hot food hot and cold foods cold. If left at room temperature for long periods, discard all food that would require refrigeration. Make sure all meats are thoroughly cooked and do not use the same plate before cooking and after cooking to avoid cross-contamination.

If it is suspected a poisoning has occurred, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Call the West Virginia Poison Center at (800) 222-1222. Medical experts at the West Virginia Poison Center are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even on the holiday, to answer calls about poison emergencies and poison questions.

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