BITING STINGING HAZARDS ID prevention and first aid

BITING, STINGING HAZARDS ID, prevention, and first aid tips

Objective • To be able to identify and avoid the hazards associated with poisonous plants, animals, reptiles, and insects in Georgia and know how to administer first aid when necessary. SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak • Woody, rope-like vine, trailing shrub on the ground, or free-standing shrub • Normally, three leaflets, but Poison Ivy may vary from groups of three to nine • “Leaves of Three, Let it Be” • Leaves are green in the summer and red in the fall SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak • Oil can remain active for months • Mostly in moist, deciduous forest and wooded areas Poison Oak • Also on trees, fences, and ornamental plants • All parts of plant are toxic year ‘round • More dangerous in spring and summer SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Sumac • Small tree or large shrub with large attractive leaves and white fruits • Large alternate leaves Poison Sumac usually with 9 -13 entire (not toothed) leaflets and a red stem • Leaflets are smooth and may be shiny SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Sumac • Fall color is brilliant, ranging from bright yellow to deep purple • Typically found along forest Poison Sumac edges and maintained rightof-ways • Prefer full sun areas that have limited competition SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • Prevention • Learn to recognize the plants • May look different depending on the area where you live and the season • Remove the plants from the area, wearing vinyl gloves • If unable to remove, wear heavy clothing, long sleeves and long pants SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • Prevention • If often exposed, get a product to remove the plant oil (urushiol) from your skin • Tecnu or Zanfel • Barrier creams/lotions can prevent urushiol from contacting the skin or reduce the severity of a reaction • Vary in their potency, not always effective SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • Take immediate action • If you have been exposed and are aware of it, you should: • Use generous amounts of isopropyl alcohol to cleanse skin before poison can attach itself • Wash skin with water SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • Take immediate action • If you have been exposed and are aware of it, you should: • Shower with soap and water • NOTE: Do not use soap and water before cleansing with alcohol because it can spread the poison around the skin’s surface • Clothes, shoes and tools should be washed with alcohol and water (be sure to wear gloves during this process) SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • The rash • Redness and swelling appear in 12 -48 hours, followed by blisters/itching • Blisters are not contagious and do not spread the rash • Do not scratch: fingernails carry germs that could infect the area • Rash, blisters, itch normally disappear in 14 -20 days without treatment SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • Treatment • Mild cases of itching: wet compress or soak in cool water • Moderate itching: oral antihistamines or topical hydrocortisone • Severe reactions: treat with prescription oral corticosteroids, which must be taken for at least 14 days, preferably over a three-week period SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • When to seek medical attention • If rash covers more than 25% of the body • If having allergic reactions such as swelling and/or difficulty breathing • If having severe cough or itching that cannot be controlled SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac • When to seek medical attention • If rash affects the face, lips, eyes or genitalia • If the rash shows signs of infection • Pus or a yellow fluid leaking from the blisters, odor or increased tenderness SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing dog bites • Know the properties where dogs are present • Ask the homeowners to either chain their dogs or leave them in the house SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing dog bites • Know the signs of when a dog might attack • Is the dog showing teeth? • Are the ears flat back against their head? • If so, it might mean the dog is frightened or ready to attack SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing dog bites • Know the signs of when a dog might attack • If a dog is wagging his tail, does that mean he will not attack? Not necessarily. • If the tail is standing straight up and stiffly wagging, the dog is suspicious and may bite • If the tail is tucked between its legs, the dog is scared and may bite SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing dog bites • Know the signs of when a dog might attack • What is the dog’s body posture? • If leaning toward you, the dog is dominant • If leaning away from you, the dog is submissive • Is the hair along the dog’s back standing up? • If so, stay away because the dog may attack SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing dog bites • Never approach a dog that is chained, fenced in, sleeping or guarding its pups SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing dog bites • If approached by a dog who may attack: • Resist the impulse to scream and run away • Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog • Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing dog bites • If approached by a dog who may attack: • If the dog does attack, "feed" him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything you can put between yourself and the dog • If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless • Try not to scream or roll around • SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing snake bits • Some bites, such as those inflicted when you accidentally step on a snake in the woods, are nearly impossible to prevent • Precautions can reduce your chances of being bitten by a snake SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing snake bits • Leave snakes alone • Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get too close • Stay out of tall grass unless wearing thick leather boots • Remain on paths if possible SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing snake bits • Keep hands and feet out of areas you cannot see • Do not pick up rocks or firewood unless you are out of a snake's striking distance • Be cautious and alert when hand pruning shrubs SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

If someone is bitten • Remember the color and shape of the snake • Can help with treatment of the bite • Keep the bitten person still and calm • Slows the spread of venom if present • Dial 911 or call emergency services (EMS) SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing spider bites • Black Widow spider • Female is more dangerous • Shiny, black and has a round abdomen with two yellow or red triangles that form an hourglass shape SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing spider bites • Black Widow spider • Webs are loose, irregular and resemble a mesh-type material • Webs can be found on plants, within loose stone or wood piles and inside irrigation valve boxes SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Black Widow bites • Feels similar to a pinprick, if felt at all • Two faint red spots surrounded by local swelling • Within 1– 3 hours, pain will intensify and may continue up to 48 hours SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Black Widow bites • Venom affects the victim’s nervous system • Severe, rigid abdominal cramping similar to appendicitis • Weakness, and tremor • In severe cases, nausea, vomiting, faintness, dizziness, chest pain and respiratory difficulties may result SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing spider bites • Brown Recluse spider • Violin pattern on back • Base of the violin at the head of the spider, neck of the violin pointing to the rear • Small, non-hairy, yellowish-tan to dark brown with darker legs • With legs, about 1 inch in length SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Preventing spider bites • Brown Recluse spider • They have six eyes • They seek out dark, warm, dry environments • Porches, basements, woodpiles, old tires, underneath rocks and trash • Webs are irregular and three dimensional SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Brown Recluse bites • Most bites occur during the summer • Bite may or may not be felt • Venom is extremely poisonous • More potent than a rattlesnake SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Brown Recluse bites • Enzymes in venom causes destruction of local cell membranes • Disrupts skin tissues leading to breakdown of skin, fat, blood vessels and tissue death • Within 1 -3 hours, the area becomes painful and swollen SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Brown Recluse bites • Rare secondary effects of the venom • Destruction of red blood cells • Low platelet count • Blood clots in capillaries and loss of ability to form clots • Acute renal failure (kidney damage) • Coma • Death SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

If someone is bitten • Wash area well with soap and water • Apply ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a cold, wet washcloth • To protect against infection, apply an antibiotic lotion or cream • Administer acetaminophen for pain SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

If someone is bitten • Seek immediate emergency care for further treatment • Prompt treatment is essential to avoid more serious complications SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.

Review • How do you ID poison ivy, sumac and oak? • What are the signs that a dog might attack? • What are the possible locations where snakes might hide? • Where might you find a Black Widow or Brown Recluse spider? • What procedures do you follow when bitten by a dog, snake or spider? SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W. S. Pharr & Co.