Dry ice is an essential material that is widely used in the health, food service, shipping, and industrial industries. From keeping shipping items cool to an entertaining effect at a Halloween party, everyone is bound to come into contact with dry ice at some point in time.
However, regardless of why a person or business needs dry ice, it’s essential to understand how to safely store and handle the product during use.
Emergency Ice is Dallas and Fort Worth’s leading dry ice delivery source and we are proud to be your go-to source for all dry ice questions and needs. Here are some of our handling, storage, and general safety tips that will help make your experience with dry ice a safe and pleasant one.
Use Your Dry Ice in a Well-Ventilated Space
When storing and using dry ice, it’s essential to keep it in a well-ventilated area. Dry ice is capable of producing large amounts of carbon dioxide as it dissipates. In order to prevent carbon dioxide poisoning, always make sure that any place you store dry ice is extremely ventilated. Some examples of where not to store dry ice include walk-in freezers or basements.
Also, if kept in an airtight container, the carbon dioxide will eventually place so much pressure on the container that an explosion may occur. So, when storing dry ice at a party or to meet a business need, always store it in a non-airtight chest or bucket made from insulating foam. This storage hack will both keep your surroundings safe and slow down the dissipation of your dry ice.
Always Protect Hands and Eyes
The surface temperature of dry ice is -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Such harsh surface temperatures can easily cause skin damage and frostbite when directly touched. When handling dry ice, always follow these safety precautions to keep your body protected:
- Never touch dry ice with your bare hands. Always use insulated or cryogenic gloves.
- Always wear safety glasses or a face shield, Eye injuries and dry ice are rare but could be devastating if an incident occurs.
What if You’ve Touched Dry Ice?
If you’ve had direct skin contact with dry ice, follow these first aid procedures:
- Remove all clothing that isn’t attached to your skin
- Place the affected body part in warm water that doesn’t exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit
- Do not rub or dry heat the impacted area
- Call emergency services as soon as possible for medical attention
- Do Not Dispose of Dry Ice in a Toilet or Sink
When disposing of dry ice, always allow it to sublimate at room temperature in a ventilated and closely monitored area.
One of the biggest mistakes a person could make is disposing of dry ice in a toilet, sink, bathtub, or garbage disposal. The extreme cold from the dry ice can have devastating effects on plumbing and result in costly repairs and replacements.
Schedule Your Next Dry Ice Delivery Today, With Emergency Ice
If you are in need of dry ice for your home or business, reach out to Emergency Ice for help. We are always available to accomplish prompt deliveries of dry ice in any amount.
We have provided the Dallas-Fort Worth area with reliable ice delivery since 1971, and are ready to meet your needs.
Schedule your next delivery with Emergency Ice, today!