A public service announcement from Never Sea Land
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More West Virginians are winding up in the emergency room for some weird, warm-weather mishaps: suspected poisoning by tiki torches and glow toys.
The West Virginia Poison Center reports that so far this year four people have been treated for drinking the refillable liquid that fuels the tropical-themed torches, popular as patio décor and a favorite for backyard parties.
The yellowish oil frequently is left sitting out and mistaken for a beverage, said Dr. Elizabeth Scharman, director of the poison center.
“People were at a picnic and thought it was apple juice and swallowed it,” Scharman said of one call the center received this year.
At least one child also swallowed the liquid after a torch had been set up lower to the ground, giving the child more access to it, Scharman said.
No one in the state has died or sustained serious injuries after ingesting the tiki torch fuel, but tragedy has struck elsewhere.
The Chicago Sun Times reported one 84-year-old woman died after swallowing the liquid, which can cause aspiration pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes related to breathing a foreign substance. more
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