Alcohol has been widely used in homes as a hygiene option against the new coronavirus (Covid-19). The Sergipe Fire Department, however, warns of the risks of this practice. “In a family environment, the use of soap and water is sufficient for effective cleaning without posing risks. Alcohol is a highly flammable substance that requires caution to avoid serious accidents, such as the one that happened in Pernambuco [when a woman had applied alcohol to her arms, forgot about it, ended up lighting a cigarette, causing a fire, and dying],” stated Lieutenant Fabiano Queiroz of the Military Fire Department of Sergipe (CBMSE).
According to the firefighter, the use of alcohol, in addition to the risk of accidents, can remove the protective layer of the skin. “It acts on the proteins of the bacterium, but also on the proteins of the skin. If it is really necessary, it is recommended to use an amount the size of a pea in the palm of the hand, spreading it evenly. We suggest that you use it when you are in a place where there is no possibility of washing your hands.”.
He also warns that liquid alcohol, in addition to its high flammability, poses a greater risk of spilling and being ingested, especially by children. “The gel form prevents a large portion of the product from spilling, preventing large areas of the body from being burned in the event of an accident,” he explained.
SOURCE:
FIRE MAGAZINE
