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Avoid Poisonous Plants

West Virginia is home to many different poisonous plants. The most common is poison ivy, which can be recognized by its three-leaf design. It can be found anywhere since it is a vine.

Another poisonous plant in West Virginia is the stinging nettle. This plant has square stems, heart shaped leaves in opposite pairs and small green flowers. It tends to grow one to three feet in height and is found in wet areas. Wood nettles are similar but have egg-shaped leaves and are found in wooded areas.

Many other poisonous plants also exist in West Virginia, so try not to touch any plant unless you know what it is. You can minimize contact with poisonous plants by sticking to designated trails.

If you do come across a poisonous plants, do not burn it. Burning poisonous plants causes the chemicals to spread out with the smoke. If you inhale any of this smoke, you can put yourself in an extremely dangerous situation.

If you touch a poisonous plant, get to the nearest bathroom and wash the area well with soap and water. If a rash starts to appear after you have done this, let your unit leader know. You may want to visit your camp’s medical staff, especially if the rash is blistering or weeping.

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