3 Tips for Handling Dry Ice Safely in a Classroom
As an educator, you’re likely always on the lookout for unique new ways to help teach your students while keeping them engaged.
As an educator, you’re likely always on the lookout for unique new ways to help teach your students while keeping them engaged. Dry ice offers a creative solution! Along with being an incredibly useful tool for everything from stage productions to camping, dry ice is perfect for a variety of science classes and dramatic teaching effects. Perhaps you want to learn about chemical reactions, or create a volcano, or add an exciting element to your next class reading of Macbeth. No matter the use, following proper safety inspections is critical to ensuring that you and your students stay safe while learning.
Handle With Care
While dry ice can be perfectly safe when used correctly, it does come with some risks. If you were to touch dry ice directly, it could result in immediate frostbite as it ranges from temperatures as low as -109.3ºF. Always wear gloves while handling dry ice and ensure that you have as little exposed skin as possible in case of accidents. When using the dry ice in a drink be sure that it is not ingested as it will cause an immediate medical emergency. Lastly, only use dry ice in well-ventilated places as it can cause a buildup of carbon dioxide.
Store Safely
Dry ice needs to be transported and stored correctly to ensure that it remains safe and so that as little is lost as possible. If you’re using pellets or chips, it will sublimate at a five to ten-pound rate for every 24 hours. Knowing this can help you predict how much to get. Keep in mind that for all of this loss an almost equal amount of carbon dioxide is released. To be on the safe side, it is best not to store it in a classroom overnight if there is little ventilation. Additionally, if there are classroom pets, remove them before bringing in the dry ice or store it in another place to be safe.
Know The Risks
Dry ice comes with the risk of ice burns, but it also carries the risk of carbon dioxide poisoning and risk to items like countertops. Due to the extreme levels of cold, dry ice can cause some surfaces like glass and countertops to become damaged or crack. While carbon dioxide poisoning is low risk for most, it may more easily effect pets or small children because the gas will sink to the floor.
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 onFacebook, 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!
