1 Dead, 5 Injured in NJ After Drinking Torch Oil

Tag : Bottled Juice
NEWARK (CBS) ― A warning has been issued about a household danger. A populartorch oil is being mistaken for apple juice, cooking oil and evenbottled water.

Making that simple mistake has resulted in deaths in New Jersey.

It is a popular oil used to light patio torches, labeled "TikiTorch Fuel." But N.J. poison control officials say that within thelast two months five people in the Garden State have gotten sickand another woman has died after drinking the oil, thinking it wasapple juice.

"We have an 84-year-old female who somebody poured her a glass ofwhat they thought was juice but turned out not to be apple juice,"said Bruce Ruck of N.J. Poison Control.

The torch fuel bottle looks exactly like a bottle of juice. It evenhas a handle. The best thing you can do is keep it out of yourkitchen.

Judy Brooks keeps her lamp oil locked away in the garage, butwonders how anyone could think the strong-smelling oil is juice.

"Wouldn't it taste weird if they took a sip?" Brooks asked.

Ruck said it's a fairly common mistake people make.

"If you're grabbing and chugging a drink quickly, you don't evertaste or smell it. It's only after the fact," Ruck said.

The torch fuel bottles, including the color-less lamp oil, havewarning labels.

"The labeling needs to be improved upon," said Pat O'Connor ofSummit.

"I don't think it should be in something like this," MichaelMoretti added, noting the shape and style of the bottle.

The company that makes the torch oil says it is urgentlyinvestigating the reports and that, "All products made by LamplightFarms are clearly marked that torch fuel is harmful or fatal ifswallowed."

Poison control officials say if you drink the oil by mistake, evenas little as one quick sip, don't try to throw it up or drink waterbecause that's how it can become deadly, spreading into your lungs.

As with any emergency, immediately get help if you drink the oil bymistake.
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