How to Handle Dry Ice Safely this Winter
Dry ice can be dangerous and can cause injury if mishandled.
The uses of dry ice are almost endless. It’s a versatile product that many people find useful for survival and entertainment. However, dry ice is dangerous and can cause injury when mishandled. Children should never use dry ice without being accompanied by an adult and adults should also take every measure to make sure that they remain safe when using dry ice. Read on to learn more about safely handling dry ice with these tips.
Hazards of Mishandling Dry Ice
Most people are familiar with that contact hazard that dry ice poses. If your skin contacts dry ice, you can experience severe frostbite. In addition to contact, dry ice also poses a risk of explosion. Dry ice doesn’t melt like ice made from water – it sublimates. In this process, it releases carbon dioxide. If held in an airtight container, that carbon dioxide can cause the container to explode. Furthermore, that carbon dioxide can also pose a suffocation hazard if kept in a confined space with no circulation.
Best Practices for Handling Dry Ice Safely
When handling dry ice, be sure always to wear thermal gloves and tongs. Keep dry ice in a well-ventilated area, allowing it to sublimate with adequate air circulation in the room. When storing dry ice, make sure that the room isn’t too cold or too warm – a Styrofoam or insulated cooler is the best types of containers. When you’re finished using the dry ice, never dispose of it in a trash can or your kitchen sink. It’s best to allow it to completely sublimate in one of the previously mentioned styles of cooler. When traveling with dry ice, you must store it in the trunk, away from the driver.
Dry Ice for All of Your Needs
Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our dry ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHEN TRANSPORTING, USING OR STORING DRY ICE! DRY ICE IS HARMFUL IF EATEN OR SWALLOWED! IF INGESTED, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! NEVER PUT DRY ICE INTO ANY FOOD, DRINKS OR LIQUIDS THAT MIGHT BE INGESTED BY HUMANS OR ANIMALS!
