Prevention

• Read labels of all household products and follow any precautions. Buy potentially dangerous substances in safety containers.
• Wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles when handling chemicals.
• Never store household products in food or drink containers.
• Safely store chemicals immediately after use, and keep out of the reach of children.

Eye Burns

If you get chemicals in your eye, you need to flush the eye right away, before doing anything else. If you wear contact lenses, take them out. Flush the eye with a constant stream of cool, clean water for at least 20 to 30 minutes. A stream of water can’t harm the eye. Thorough washing can reduce the risk of permanent eye damage. If there is no water handy, use milk to wash your eye. Do not bandage the eye before seeing a doctor.

To flush the eye, hold your head under a faucet or use a pitcher of water, plastic squirt bottle, drinking fountain, or shower spray. Hold your eyelids open for proper flushing. Make sure the water runs from the inside corner of the eye (near the nose) outward, so the contaminated water doesn’t flow into the unaffected eye.

If both eyes are affected, let water flow over both or quickly alternate flushing each eye. Make sure water gets to all parts of the eye by lifting and separating the eyelids. You can also put the top half of your face in a large bowl or sink filled with water. Open both eyes and move the eyelids up and down. Don’t do this with people (especially young children) who are upset or who can’t hold their breath.

Don’t rub your eyes. After rinsing the eye, immediately go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Bring the chemical container with you for analysis.

First Aid

• React quickly to chemical burns. Flush the affected area right away, even before calling your doctor. Flush the burned area with a gentle, constant spray of cool water for at least 10 to 30 minutes using a hose, bucket, or shower. Do not rub the area while rinsing. Remove all clothing on the burned area. Keep flushing until you are certain all the chemical has been washed away.
• After flushing, call the local poison control center or your doctor for more instructions.
• Dry the wound site and cover with a clean cloth or dressing.
• Do not put first-aid ointments, antiseptics, or home remedies on chemical burns. Cool, wet dressings work best to relieve pain.