National Burn Awareness Week takes place during the first week of February. The Las Vegas burn injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys wanted to add to the event by raising awareness about chemical burns. Many people are unaware that numerous household products used in our everyday lives can lead to serious chemical burns. To help you and your family stay safe, our team has put together a list of household items that can burn.
Household Items That Can Burn: 5 Types of Products That Cause Chemical Burns
Many everyday household products contain harsh chemicals that can cause serious burns when they come into contact with the skin, eyes, or respiratory system. These burns, known as chemical burns, occur when a strong acid or base damages tissue upon exposure. These injuries can be external or internal. Understanding household items that can burn can help your household avoid accidents and injuries. Here are different types of products that can cause chemical burns.
1. Cleaning Products
Household cleaners are among the most common sources of chemical burns. Many contain strong acids, bases, and solvents that can cause major skin irritation or burns. Some are so powerful that prolonged exposure can lead to catastrophic burns. Some of the most dangerous cleaning products include:
- Bleach: A common household disinfectant, bleach can burn the skin and produce toxic fumes when mixed with other chemicals like ammonia.
- Oven cleaners: These contain lye or sodium hydroxide, which can cause deep burns.
- Drain cleaners: These often contain sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide, both of which are highly corrosive.
- Toilet bowl cleaners: Many contain hydrochloric acid, which can severely damage the skin and eyes.
2. Personal Care Products
Certain personal care items contain active ingredients that can irritate or burn sensitive skin. Some common offenders include:
- Hair dye and bleach: Contain peroxide or ammonia, which can cause scalp and skin burns.
- Hair relaxers: Often contain strong alkaline chemicals that can cause serious burns if left on for too long.
- Nail polish remover: Acetone-based removers can cause chemical burns if used excessively or left on the skin for too long.
- Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash: High concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause burns if they come into prolonged contact with skin or gums.
3. Automotive and Home Improvement Products
Many products used for automobile maintenance or home repairs contain strong chemicals that can burn the skin and eyes upon contact. Some of these products include:
- Battery acid: Car batteries contain sulfuric acid, which can cause severe burns if it leaks.
- Paint strippers and thinners: Contain caustic chemicals that can burn the skin and release toxic fumes.
- Cement and plaster: Can contain alkaline substances like lime, which can burn the skin upon prolonged exposure.
- Antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid: Contain toxic chemicals that can cause burns if accidentally spilled on the skin.
4. Pesticides and Herbicides
Pesticides and weed killers contain harsh chemicals designed to kill pests and invasive plants, but they can also be harmful to humans. Some contain:
- Glyphosate (weed killers): Can cause chemical burns if not handled properly.
- Insecticides: Many contain toxic substances that can irritate the skin and eyes upon contact.
5. Laundry Products
Laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and stain removers contain strong chemicals that can lead to burns. Some examples include:
- Detergent pods: Highly concentrated and can cause skin burns if the liquid inside comes into contact with the skin or eyes.
- Stain removers: Some contain hydrogen peroxide or other bleaching agents that can irritate the skin.
How to Prevent Chemical Burns from Household Products
Items like the ones listed above are commonly found in every home. This makes it essential to take precautions when handling them. Our Las Vegas injury attorneys recommend:
- Wear protective gloves when handling strong cleaning agents or chemicals.
- Read labels carefully to understand potential risks.
- Store chemicals properly to prevent accidental exposure.
- Avoid mixing chemicals to prevent harmful reactions.
- Keep products out of reach of children to avoid accidental ingestion or contact.
By understanding the risks associated with household items that can burn, you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family from harmful chemical burns.
Contact a Top Las Vegas Burn Injury Lawyer Near Me
Unfortunately, there may be cases where another person negligently mishandles one of the products mentioned earlier, causing a member of your household to suffer burns. In other cases, a product manufacturer may not have posted a proper warning label on their product, leading to your burns. If you believe that someone in your family suffered chemical burns due to another party’s actions or inactions then contact the Las Vegas burn injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys for a free consultation.
You can reach ER Injury Attorneys by phone at 702-878-7878 and online through LiveChat or encrypted contact form. Our accomplished Nevada injury attorneys have successfully served injury victims in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Pahrump, Boulder City, Laughlin, and beyond. Contact us today and take the first step towards the settlement you’re entitled to.