Your Health Matters
By Claudia Parks, R.N.

Christmas Holidays: Let's give thought to poison-proofing our homes. Help keep the season merry and bright by avoiding plants and decorations and other items that pose problems for curious youngsters. Take a moment to read these safety tips and precautions at this very special time of the year!

Household plants account for 10 percent of poisonings of preschool youngsters each year, and the risk of a problem increases during the holiday season.

If you have small children in the home, avoid the Jerusalem Cherry plant. Their bright yellows to dark red berries contain solanine. When ingested, solanine causes vomiting and diarrhea, slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, depresses breathing, hallucinations, possibly seizures and coma.

Mistletoe: All parts of the plant contain toxic substances- digitalis-like compounds that slow the heart, and cause nausea and vomiting and stomach pain. One or two berries eaten by a child will not result in serious harm. As a precaution when hanging mistletoe in your home, place it in a piece of netting or a plastic sandwich bag. This will help avoid young children or pets from eating the leaves and berries that drop to the ground.

Holly berries: Contain ilex acid, which irritates the stomach and causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The bright red berries of this plant are especially attractive to small children. Nibbling on two or three berries will not cause any symptoms. Swallowing more, however, can result into gastrointestinal symptoms.

Poinsettias: Although poinsettias received much publicity as a toxic plant after a child in Hawaii died from consuming an indigenous variety, today's hybrid varieties are probably the least toxic of the Christmas plants. A child would have to ingest almost 20 pounds of leaves to develop serious toxicity.

The milky sap in the leaves and stems of the poinsettias plant can irritate the skin and cause a poison ivy-like rash in susceptible people.

Hazardous Decorations

Angel Hair: Angel hair is finely spun glass, which can be

irritating to the skin, eyes, and

the throat if swallowed. Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating. Keep out of reach of children.

Artificial snow sprays and bubble lights contain methylene chloride. An early symptom of poisoning from this includes headaches, nausea, and mild confusion. When considerable amounts of this toxic substance are ingested, nausea, vomiting, convulsions and coma may follow. Emergency treatment is necessary.

Many snow sprays contain acetone. This solvent can be harmful when inhaled. Carefully follow container directions. Be sure to have the room well ventilated when you spray. Once dry, the snow particles are non-toxic.

Icicles or tinsel: These may cause choking or obstruction, especially in cats or small dogs. Since they may contain lead and tin, they may be toxic with repeated ingestion.

Glitter or sparkle: Nontoxic, however this can be a serious danger to individuals if they get glitter in their eyes. It is not always easy to remove a tiny piece of glitter and it can also scratch your eyeball and end up being very painful.

Other Holiday Hazards

Alcoholic beverages left after holiday parties pose an oftenoverlooked potential for childhood poisoning. Only two ounces of 86-proof liquor can lower blood pressure, blood sugar and temperature, and depress breathing in young children. Many after-shave lotions and colognes found under the Christmas tree are other sources of alcohol. Vanilla and almond extracts also have high alcohol content.

Disc Batteries: These flatshaped, coin-like batteries are commonly used in watches, cameras, hearing aids, games and calculators. They may be swallowed, stick in the throat or stomach, causing serious burns as the chemical leaks out. Also, children may insert these small objects into their ears or nose.

By knowing what's likely to cause problems and making plans to prevent them, you can make your children's (and your) holiday healthier and happier.

Georgia Poison Control Center1-800-222-1222

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor's office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains. You may contact Claudia at yhm@windstream. net .