Isopropyl alcohol dangers: Use with care
While alcohol is handy, it is a chemical with potential dangers. According to Dr. Beers:
Do not use near fires: Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so don’t use it near open flames.
Do not drink it: Swallowing alcohol is dangerous, so keep it far out of reach of little hands.
Do not bathe in it: Some old-time remedies called for soothing fevers and aches with alcohol baths or alcohol-soaked compresses applied to the skin. Bad idea. If too much alcohol is absorbed into the skin, it can be toxic to the heart and nerves.
Do not mix it with bleach: Never mix rubbing alcohol with bleach. It can produce toxic fumes that can be deadly.
When handled with care, though, there are good reasons to keep a bottle of alcohol dusted off and ready to help with cleaning, disinfecting and more.
