More holiday hazards

I’m not a worry-wart – really. But as a mom, I’ve been around enough family gatherings and enough kiddos to know that holidays plus distracted parents plus excited little ones can add up to some crazy situations. Even safe homes can become hazardous for curious children and pets with the addition of attractive decorations.

Make sure the seasonal delights festooning your home are safe for the whole family with these tips from the North Texas Poison Center at Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Poinsettia This plant is actually not very toxic, but the sap can be irritating. If a piece has been chewed, clear the mouth of plant material and offer something to drink.

Christmas berry The leaves and crushed pits are poisonous if a large amount is swallowed.
Holly Eating a few berries can cause vomiting, cramps and diarrhea.

Mistletoe Eating berries can cause vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. Large amounts can cause high blood pressure, seizures and confusion.

Christmas trees Evergreens are non-toxic with the exception of the yew, which has red, cup-like fruits on its branches. The leaves and seed pits are toxic. Be careful what you add to the water in the Christmas tree stand; pets may drink it, and some preservatives are toxic.

Christmas tree ornaments Antique or imported ornaments may have toxic, lead-based paint.

Tinsel While tinsel is non-toxic, shiny icicles can cause airway or intestinal blockage if eaten by children or pets. Veterinarians perform at least one operation each holiday season to remove tinsel from pets' intestines.

Angel hair This tree decoration is made of spun glass, causing irritation upon contact.
Bubble lights These lights contain a poisonous liquid called methylene chloride. It can be a danger if the fluid from several lights is swallowed.

Alcohol Alcohol poisons children by causing a drop in their blood sugar and making them dangerously drowsy. A combination of these two factors can cause a coma. Holiday alcohol is available in many forms: perfume given as a gift, mixed drinks at a party or even mouthwash left by the bathroom sink.

Turkey Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, allowing one to three days for complete thawing. If time is short, immerse the bird in a water-tight wrapper in cold water, continue adding ice to prevent the turkey from reaching room temperature. Wash hands thoroughly before dressing the bird to minimize chance of contamination from bacteria on hands. The safest method to determine when the turkey is cooked is to place a meat thermometer inside the thigh muscle or thickest part of breast. It should read 180 to 185 degrees for a normal turkey. For a stuffed turkey, place the thermometer in the stuffing. The thermometer here should register at 165 degrees. After cooking, remove the stuffing; do not allow it to cool inside the turkey. Refrigerate the turkey, gravy and stuffing after meal; room temperature is insufficient.

North Texas Poison Center 1-800-222-1222, 24 hours a day

For a free poison prevention packet, call the North Texas Poison Center administrative line at 214/589-0911.

~ Lisa