Spring cleaning is a good chance to de-clutter and make your home a little healthier, but heavy-duty housework can result in injury if you aren’t taking the proper steps to protect yourself. Injuries can range from irritation and burns caused by household cleaners, to falls and strains from doing chores at home.
I encourage all spring cleaners to take the proper precautions when using harsh cleaners, climbing ladders and doing other intensive household chores.
With strong household cleaners — like oven cleaner, bleach, drain cleaner and any product containing harsh chemicals — improper use can result in eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as chemical burns to the skin. Examples of dangerous chemicals that could be contained in these products include ammonia, lye and sulfuric or hydrochloric acid.
A common hazard of cleaning out your bathroom is mixing ammonia and bleach together. This creates fumes that can burn your throat, eyes, make you dizzy and exacerbate conditions like asthma. Also, if you plan on cleaning out your bathtubs, it’s a good idea to check for mold, as a little patch in a moist environment can spread. If you do find mold, wash it off with diluted bleach.
The kitchen is where there’s often a lot of chemicals stored under the sink. If you have small children, this is probably not the place that you want to store cleaning agents. Many of these chemicals are poisonous and can cause chemical burns. Be sure to store these and all household cleaners in a secure place, and don’t allow kids in the room when harsh cleaners are being used.
I urge people to avoid using harsh chemicals if possible. If you do use these products, wear protective gear and be very careful in their application. Rubber gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and goggles should be worn to shield skin and eyes, and a window should be opened in any room where these chemicals are being used to provide adequate ventilation.
If you come in contact with a corrosive cleaner and suspect that you have sustained a chemical burn, take the following steps:
• Remove any clothing or jewelry that the chemical has also touched.
• Gently rinse the burn immediately with cool water for about 10 minutes.
• Loosely apply a bandage or gauze.
• You may take an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary. You should also get a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the last 10 years.
If the burn has appeared to penetrate the first layer of skin and covers an area of more than about three inches, seek medical attention immediately. You should also seek medical attention for a chemical burn if it encircles a limb or covers a joint; involves the eyes, hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks; or if the person experiencing the burn has fainted, shows a pale complexion or has very shallow breathing. Keep in mind that chemical burns may appear hours after exposure to harsh chemicals.
Not all spring cleaning injuries occur inside the home. Many people will be cleaning debris from gutters and roofs and making repairs to their homes after the harsh winter weather. Climbing ladders to complete these tasks can be very dangerous. A fall from a ladder or roof can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injury or penetrating injuries from objects on the ground and may be life threatening.
To ensure your safety while utilizing a ladder or getting onto your roof, be sure to have a spotter watching you. Keep a steady footing by not skipping any rungs as you make your way up or down the ladder, and don’t hold any tools in your hands when climbing. Always set up a ladder on even ground, and never place one near a power line. Check your ladder for damage before using it.
The Michael & Susan Smith Emergency Department at Eskenazi Health is one of the busiest emergency departments in the state, treating more than 100,000 patients each year. The Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Eskenazi Health is verified by the American Burn Association and is regarded as one of the finest and most progressive burn centers in the United States. For more information on these facilities, please visit EskenaziHealth.edu.
Nydia Nuñez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine
Eskenazi Health Center North Arlington