Antifreeze = deadly poison

[kurokoma-kun]

I just want to alert others to a danger I only became aware of yesterday.

It's antifreeze. Did you know that 1,400 children and 10,000 pets die every year from accidentally ingesting antifreeze? This is because they are attracted to the chemical’s sweet flavor. All it takes is a tiny sip to cause kidney failure, respiratory arrest, coma and death.

One of my cats, Fingal, had to be put to sleep last night due to antifreeze poisoning. The vet said he probably walked through a puddle of it somewhere, then licked it off his paws. I know some of you will say it's my fault for letting him roam outside, but I would appreciate it if you would please refrain from posting those comments here.

What a horrible experience... one that could be prevented if antifreeze manufacturers would just put something in to make their product taste bad, or switch to propylene glycol, which is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol.

Please take care when refilling your antifreeze folks, and wash any spills or leaks off the pavement.