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 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

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Oil can remain active for months Mostly in moist, deciduous forest and wooded areas 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 Oak

Poison Sumac Small tree or large shrub with large attractive leaves and white fruits Large alternate leaves 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 edges and maintained right- of-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 Sumac

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 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 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

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.