by KYW's David Madden
New Jersey health officials are warning people about the dangers of accidentally drinking "tiki torch" lamp oil. Several people have done just that, by mistake, in recent weeks.
Since late May, seven New Jersey residents drank small amounts of the oil, most thinking it to be apple juice or water.
Four of them are from South Jersey -- three from Burlington County, including an 84-year-old woman who died this week. The other victims survived, but some have suffered permanent physiological damage.
Bruce Ruck is with the state’s Poison Information and Education System:
"Make sure any lamp oil and any chemical is kept away from the kitchen. Make sure it’s not stored near food. Make sure it’s not stored by your picnic tables. Make sure it’s locked away."
And should you make that potentially fatal mix-up, don’t induce vomiting right away -- you might just do more harm than good. Instead, call poison control experts immediately at 1-800-222-1222. That number works nationwide, connecting you to the nearest poison control center.
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