Avoiding Holiday Hazards

While Christmas often is called “the most wonderful time of the year,” it’s also a dangerous time of the year – especially for children and pets. As you gear up for a season of decorations and parties, watch for these common hazards:

Decorations

Probably the most dangerous element of the Christmas season is found in holiday lights. The light strands may cause shocks – especially if a pet or child chews on the cord. Overheated light sockets can cause shocks, too.

The biggest danger, though, is lead found in strands of lights. Lead is commonly used in Christmas lights to insulate the wiring – it’s also used as a flame retardant and a way to stabilize the PVC used in cords.

The surface lead on the light strands easily rubs off on hands. If a person’s hands are not washed thoroughly after touching Christmas lights, it’s easy to consume lead by unknowingly touching – and contaminating – food.

• While it’s not necessarily a great danger, children or pets can easily knock Christmas trees over and could be hurt by ornaments, lights or the tree.

• Beware of small pieces on decorations and ornaments. They may easily come off the ornament and become a choke hazard for a child. Also be careful when using glass ornaments – they can easily shatter and cause cuts.

• Speaking of small pieces, watch out for button batteries, too. They are easy to swallow and cause much internal harm.

• Aside from a choke hazard, tinsel can damage a pet’s intestines. Similarly, shiny icicles can cause choking in animals and children.

• Angel hair is made of spun glass. It can irritate eyes and skin and can cause internal bleeding if swallowed.

• Candles are obvious fire hazards. Use caution when lighting them.

• Poinsettias get a bad rap. They’re actually not toxic, but their milky white sap does irritate both human and animal mouths. Keep them out of a child’s or pet’s reach.

• Holly plants are only toxic in very large quantities – while there’s not much of a chance anyone would eat the prickly leaves, beware of a child or pet consuming the bright red berries.

• Mistletoe is toxic, both to animals and humans. If you decorate with real mistletoe, use caution.

• Pine needles aren’t toxic, but they can easily lodge in the trachea if swallowed.

• While potpourri looks and smells pretty, make sure animals or children don’t try to consume it.

• Be careful when opening presents and packages – stabs or cuts from opening boxes with knives or scissors are common holiday injuries.

• Make sure you watch what others eat and drink at holiday parties! Unsupervised children can choke on mixed nuts or cocktail sausages. And accidentally consuming alcohol can be toxic for children and animals.

For more suggestions about avoiding holiday hazards, visit Healthy Child, Healthy World.