Antifreeze

Baby it's cold outside! With winter fast approaching many of us will be putting Antifreeze in our car engines. At this time we want to take a moment to remind everyone about the dangers of antifreeze to children and pets. We all know that it is a deadly, highly toxic substance, fatal even in small doses! Unfortunately, antifreeze has a very sweet taste that appeals to both children and animals. Dogs have been known to chew through containers to get to it.

Each year in the U.S. as many as 10,000 of our best friends are poisoned, either accidentally or due to ignorance, as a result of exposure to antifreeze. All it takes is a teaspoon for a dog. It causes immediate kidney failure and by the time the symptoms of poisoning appear, the animals are already doomed.

There is a solution currently in the works. A bittering agent could be added during the manufacturing process. This bittering agent, denatoninol benzoate, is the world's bitterest substance. The bittering agent itself is safe, biodegradable, and will not harm engines. For only pennies a gallon, it would not harm and would save thousands of dog lives each year.

Even though more and more states are passing regulations requiring the addition of this bittering agent that would make antifreeze and engine coolants, unpalatable (California is one of states requiring this addition), For now, until national legislation and regulation is passed (bill HR 1563 for just such a thing is pending), it is better to be safe than sorry. Keep all containers tightly sealed, well out of reach and please watch your car for deadly leaks.