djsandra
12-10-15, 06:03
Hi guys, I know it's been a while since I last posted. Something happened today that really upset me. I had a Galileo thermometer on my desk, and I managed to knock it over when I was reaching for something. The water spilled all the way behind my desk, onto the windowsill behind my desk, and directly into the carpet against the baseboard. I am terrified because I read online that the "water" inside the thermometers actually contains some kind of flammable substance, like kerosene or ethanol. I knew right away that it wasn't just water as the liquid felt oily on my skin. I tried cleaning it up right away with soapy water and vinegar, but I had to cut out the affected areas of carpet because it had seeped all the way down to the padding underneath. The liquid had some kind of a smell that was a combination of plastic, tea-tree oil, and a hint of kerosene. I opened my window and tried not to breathe it in too much while cleaning, but halfway I broke down crying because I felt somehow that my life would "never be the same again", that everything in my room had been poisoned and violated, and that it was all flammable. I was stupid enough to be barefoot while I was stepping in the carpet, trying to clean it up. I had taken my socks and pants off because the liquid had spilled onto them. I read on the packaging that the thermometer does indeed contain flammable materials, and not to use open flame and extreme heat, etc. I know it seems like a complete overreaction, but my OCD has made it seem like everything is ruined and contaminated, and that I didn't manage the situation properly, and that the lives of others and myself are at risk. I was sobbing while I was in the shower, I haven't felt so scared in a long, long time. I put all of the contaminated carpet and cleaning materials used in black garbage bags, and put those outside, but I am not sure what to do with them. Does anyone have any advice? Anything will be appreciated, thanks so much...