Precautions With Windshield Wiper Fluid and Children

It is a genuine wonderment about windshield wiperthe liver.
liquid having to be a bright blue color. Whether it is toEthanol is converted into acetaldehyde, an element
represent the "freeze" part of the anti-freeze, or tothat causes liver and kidney damage when there is a
somehow represent an unnatural juice color to deterhigh accumulation of it. Carbon dioxide starts building up
others from drinking it, it is not always fool-proof. Thisfrom the formation of this formic acid. This entire
color is just too similar to the color of blue Kool-Aid,process, when in moderate situations, gives rise to
which is an artificially flavored juice powder mix. It isvomiting, pain, headaches, sleepiness and staggering. It
unfortunate in some cases.sounds very similar to alcohol poisoning, which is the
It was written all over the internet last year that a daycase here since methanol is an alcohol.
care staff member had mistakenly poured cups of theYou should take quick action to call the poison control
anti-freeze combo for less than a dozen of the daycenter and/or 911. While they guide you and what you
care children to drink. What was completely a mistakeshould do before the EMT arrives, the EMT will arrive
on behalf of the day care owner could have had nearand most likely inject into the IV a dose of ethanol to
fatal consequences for all of those poor children. It is acounteract the methanol. And what can you do to
valid concern to think about how the staff memberprevent this whole fatal occurrence from happening?
owner could not smell the strong methanol odor asFor starters, you should never keep your car
she was pouring the liquid into the poor little children'smaintenance supplies in the kitchen. Second of all, you
sippy cups.should look clearly at the package labeling. I'm sure the
The high acid level of windshield wiper fluids can killcontainer said "WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID", but I'm
brain cells and damage the retina to the point ofnot sure how the day care center owner missed that.
blindness. It can also lead to a coma or a cardiacLastly, the packaging should have child-proof caps on,
arrhythmia, where the heart could stop completely andso if it is that difficult to get the cap off, the package is
lead to death. Why these extreme consequences arenot busted. It is protecting children from opening it and
happening are due to the process of methanol's toxicingesting it!
byproducts from breaking down the existing ethanol in