Q. What do the warnings on the bottles under my kitchen sink mean? I find them confusing.

Many of the household products we use contain poisons. These products include pesticides, oven cleaners, detergents, polish, paint and drain uncloggers.

Manufacturers use a high-medium-low system on labels to alert you to hazards. The following are brief descriptions:

DANGER means if the danger is not avoided, it will cause death or serious injury.

WARNING means if the warning is not heeded, it can cause death or serious injury.

CAUTION means if the precaution is not taken, it may cause minor or moderate injury.

If you have an emergency with a household product, here are some steps you can take. The order of the steps depends upon the severity of the problem. You can call 911 and the poison control center at 800-222-1222. Read the label for instructions and an emergency phone number.

The following are some general first-aid instructions:

* If you get a poison onto your skin or in your eyes, rinse the affected area in the shower for at least 15 minutes.

* If you inhale toxic fumes, get to fresh air immediately.

* If poison is swallowed, do not use an emetic medicine such as syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting. Doctors no longer recommend using these medicines because there is no evidence they prevent poisons from entering the bloodstream.

And now for some tips to prevent exposure to dangerous substances:

* Don’t keep flammable products in your home.

* Check household products regularly for loose caps.

* Keep products in their original containers. This prevents confusion and keeps the labels around for reference.

* Don’t store toxic household products near food or medicine.

* Never throw these products in the trash cans where children can get to them. Call your local government to find out where you can dispose of these products properly.

The following is some information about the dangers in common household products:

* Paint can irritate the eyes and skin. Paint fumes can give you headaches, nausea and dizziness.

* Clothes detergents, if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, shock, convulsions and coma.

* Ammonia fumes can irritate eyes and lungs. Never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach because the combination produces a potentially lethal gas.

* Oven cleaners that contain lye can burn you and are potentially fatal if swallowed. Spray cleaners pose a threat to your lungs.

* Toilet bowl cleaners rely on acids that can burn.

* Mold removers can cause breathing problems.

* Drain cleaners contain lye and sulfuric acid that can blind you if they splash in your eyes.

* Carpet cleaners that contain perchloroethylene cause dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, loss of appetite and disorientation. Carpet cleaners that use naphthalene can damage your liver.

* Furniture polish is an irritant that, if ingested, can cause nausea and vomiting.

* Air fresheners contain chemicals that can irritate skin and eyes, cause fatal lung problems and brain damage. They can be highly-flammable, too.

* Mothballs can cause headaches, dizziness, irritation, cataract formation and liver damage.

* Weed-killers can irritate the eyes and skin, and cause vomiting and diarrhea.

* Insect repellents can depress the central nervous system and cause forms of mental illness.

* Rat killers contain warfarin, a blood-thinner. If you swallow a lot of it, it will create internal bleeding.

Have a question? Email: fred@healthygeezer.com. Order “How To Be A Healthy Geezer,” 218-page compilation of columns: healthygeezer.com

All Rights Reserved &Copy; 2023 Fred Cicetti

The Times News, Inc. and affiliates (Lehigh Valley Press) do not endorse or recommend any medical products, processes, or services or provide medical advice. The views of the columnist and column do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lehigh Valley Press. The article content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified health-care provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.