Teach Your Children How to Use Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizer alerts have been seen on the Internet and e-mail. They contain reports of children who get sick from ingesting hand sanitizer gel. Most hand sanitizer gels contain 60% to 90% alcohol. This percent of alcohol makes them effective in preventing illness. A child who swallows enough of this product could experience alcohol poisoning.

Studies show that keeping hands clean helps people avoid getting sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the use of these alcohol-based products in hospitals, schools, work and at home. They help stop the spread of germs.

Kids are naturally curious. They often explore their world through touch, smell and taste. You can keep your child safe and healthy.

• Keep hand sanitizer containers out of your child’s reach.
• Control the amount of hand sanitizer gel that your child uses.
• Watch your child until he completely rubs the gel into his hands. It takes about 15 to 20 seconds.
• Teach your child not to taste or lick the gel.

Signs of alcohol poisoning include vomiting, glassy eyes, slurred speech and sleepiness. If you suspect your child has ingested hand sanitizer gel, call your doctor, the National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) or 911.

Teach your kids how to be safe and healthy. For more information on clean hands and hand sanitizers log on to www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/

Be Prepared for Severe Spring Weather

Severe weather can strike at any time, day or night. In the Midwest, spring brings an increased risk of thunderstorms, lightening, high winds, floods and tornadoes. Most tornadoes in Illinois strike between April 1 and June 30th.

Flooding is the number one weather related killer in the US. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns families of the chance for flooding this spring. Saturated soil and heavy rains from spring storms increase the risk that flooding can occur.

High winds from storms and tornadoes cause damage and deaths. Almost 30% of tornadoes occur after dark. Severe thunder storms can produce deadly lightening strikes.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the NWS teach families how to be safe. Find their Severe Weather Preparedness Guide posted on the Internet at www.Ready.Illinois.gov. This easy to read guide includes:

• A 2009 Illinois Severe Weather Fact Sheet on tornadoes, thunderstorms and floods,
• Actions to protect you and your family during and after severe weather,
• Other valuable sources of weather safety information,
• NOAA weather radio stations in our area, and
• What to keep in your emergency supply kit.

Monitor the weather. Use the Internet, radio, television or a weather alert radio. Listen for outdoor warning sirens, but realize that during severe weather, you may not always hear them. Also, severe weather can occur while you are sleeping. You may ask a friend to call you to be sure you know about the bad weather.

Protect your family and your home from the effects of severe weather. Be prepared.