Stafford County Fire and E-M-S want to protect you against mercury spills after a number of them recently in the region.

Stafford's Fire and Rescue Director Chuck Thompson says don't throw the thermometers away but be careful, a broken thermometer's mercury can easily be cleaned up.

He also says mercury spills shouldn't be taken lightly.

Exposure to mercury can affect the nervous system and its especially harmful to children.

Thompson says the first few steps to clean up for a mercury spill, remove everyone from the room especially children, shut the door to the room where the spill happened, and turn off any ventilation system.

If the spill is less than or equal to the amount in a thermometer, it can be easily cleaned and contained, but if you don't feel safe doing the dirty work, Thompson says don't hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Click here for Mercury Fact Sheet
Date published: 3/31/2005

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