April 2, 1998

Protect yourself from glass, wood splinters during storm clean-up

Glass splinters, wood splinters, nails and fiberglass can all pose dangers for those cleaning up after a storm. The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers the following recommendations during clean-up:

• Assume that tiny, almost invisible splinters of glass are everywhere. Always wear shoes or slippers with heavy soles, even when walking on carpets.
• Don't let small children crawl or play on floors or carpeting because these may contain small, undetected bits of glass.
• Upholstered chairs, sofas, mattresses, pillows, blankets, quilts, carpeting, rugs and draperies may need replacement because deep within they may contain dangerous small hidden splinters of glass.
• Glass splinters may be hiding throughout food stored in kitchen cupboards. Check for glass and other debris in spices, flour, sugar and cereal. Discard canned foods with broken seams. When in doubt about food, replace it.
• Check bathroom cupboards and don't use bath towels or medications until you are sure they don't contain glass chips.
• Glass, including fiberglass insulation, can injure unprotected eyes, lungs, and hands. Wear eye wear, a dust mask, long sleeves and pants, and leather gloves during clean-up efforts.
• Wear sturdy rubber gloves for cleaning storm-damaged dishes or while scrubbing floors, counter tops and other areas.
• Cuts from storm-contaminated materials are dangerous. If your last tetanus shot is more than ten years old, get an updated vaccination.
• Be careful about glass and wooden splinters inside dresser drawers and even within pages of books.
• Thoroughly wash bedding and clothing to remove fiberglass insulation and other debris before using or wearing.

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Source: University of Minnesota Extension Service
Editor: Joseph Kurtz, EDS, (612) 625-3168,pkurtz@extension.umn.edu

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