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Warning-sign checks

Window cleaner poisoning: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services now if someone has:

    • Severe trouble breathing, blue or grey lips, or noisy breathing
    • Collapsed, become unresponsive, or had a seizure
    • Severe confusion or difficulty staying awake
    • Severe chest pain, drooling, or inability to swallow
    • Sudden major vision loss
    • Swallowed window cleaner intentionally
    • Possibly swallowed windshield washer fluid or a product containing methanol

    Routine follow-up is not a substitute for emergency care when breathing, alertness, swallowing, or vision is affected.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact a poison centre promptly after any swallowed window cleaner, significant inhalation, or exposure to a concentrated or unknown product.

    Also seek advice if a child was exposed, symptoms develop, or you are unsure how much contact occurred.

    After eye exposure, begin rinsing immediately.

    Urgent assessment is needed if pain, redness, light sensitivity, or blurred vision continues after thorough rinsing.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine follow-up after medical assessment if a cough, stomach symptoms, skin irritation, or mild swallowing discomfort is not improving as expected.

The article also says

Move someone who inhaled fumes into fresh air if you can do so safely.

Do not enter a room with strong fumes without appropriate protection.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Window cleaner poisoning. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.