Christmas can be hazardous to your health.

Okay, that may be a little over dramatic, but in truth, there are certain dangers that come hand in hand with the-season-to-be-jolly.

Trees:

Christmas trees account for 250 fires annually, resulting in 14 deaths, 26 injuries and more than $13.8 million in property damage.  These fires are usually started by shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches.

The video below, from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is an eye opening example of how fast a room can be engulfed in flames during a Christmas tree fire.

The best way to keep your tree from catching fire?  Buy it fresh and keep it wet.  A fresh tree has green needles which are difficult to pull from the branches and don’t break when bent.  When tapped on the ground, a fresh tree shouldn’t lose many needles.

Your tree stand should hold at least a gallon of water.  The general rule is one quart of water per inch of the stem diameter.  An average six foot tree with a four inch diameter truck can consume as much as one gallon of water a day.  When watered properly, a fresh cut tree will keep some natural fire retardant for about twenty-one days.

Remember to keep your tree, as well as other Christmas decorations, away from heaters, lights, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, candles, and ash trays.  A recommended safe distance is three feet.

Poisoning and other hazards:

 Do you ever wonder if the tree you’re bringing into your house is toxic?  Or if a snow globe breaks, can the water inside harm your child?  Scott and White Health Care has kindly put together this list  to either ease our minds, or make us more cautious of what we’re bringing into our homes during the holidays.

Pine Tree (all species)
Christmas trees are non-toxic and usually harmless in regard to toxic exposure concerns. They can scratch the throat if ingested.

Christmas Tree Preservative
Usually contain sugar 90-95%, some form of citric acid, alum and maybe some other trace elements. Drinking the water that contains the preservative is considered usually non-toxic unless ingested in large quantities.

Christmas Tree Ornaments
Most ornaments are made of plastic, glass, Styrofoam, wood and metal. These are considered non-toxic but may present a physical hazard if broken. Other ornaments that are not toxic but can cause mechanical injury are angel hair, glitter, icicles and tinsel. These small things can be inhaled, ingested, placed in the eye or on the skin and can cause irritation.

Christmas Globes
These are also known as snow globes. Some contain little pieces of plastic or glitter but are not considered toxic. The water in these globes is not toxic but may be contaminated with bacteria. If one of these gets broken it is advisable to throw it away.

Bubbling Christmas Lights
These fluid-filled bubbling lights contain at least 50% methylene chloride. Methylene chloride is a respiratory tract and mucous membrane irritant and can cause headaches. Dermal contact may cause irritation and burns. If ingested, methylene chloride can cause CNS depression (sleepiness) and respiratory failure (breathing problems).

Mistletoe
Mistletoe is in the Phoradendron species. Ingestion of any part of the plants usually leads to gastroenteritis, but can also lead to hallucinations, hypotension or hypertension and seizures. The gastroenteritis can last up to eight hours. Fewer than two berries are probably not enough to cause toxicity but ingestion of an unknown amount may require evaluation by a physician.

Poinsettias & Holly
Neither plant is considered toxic. They can, in cases where someone has eaten a large quantity, be considered mildly toxic in that they can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and therefore are a possible risk for dehydration. Holly’s are from the Ilex genus and all plants in that genus causes nausea and vomiting if eaten in large enough amounts.

Flocking
Once placed on the tree it is inert plastic. If ingested it is considered a foreign body ingestion.

Tinsel & Wrapping paper
On a rare occasion tinsel or wrapping paper may contain lead in some of the inks that are used. A small amount ingested should not be a problem but if unsure, then a lead level might be considered appropriate. Do not burn tinsel or wrapping paper.

Fireplace Logs
Metallic salts produce fireplace and log colors, which can be toxic if ingested, even in small amounts in some cases. Make sure the flu is open to avoid combustion vapors and carbon monoxide in the home.

Alcohol
Leaving alcohol around for little children to drink by accident can be a fatal mistake. Ethanol in children can cause hypoglycemia (and subsequent convulsions) and if not recognized can be fatal.

Food
Food poisoning is always a concern, especially during the holidays when foods get left out for office workers to graze on during the day. Safe food handling practices should be observed.  Visit the health department for information about food safety.

Keep in mind many decorations, ornaments, and toys pose a choking hazard to small children.  Use care when buying Christmas presents or bringing small objects into your home and call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission(C.P.S.C.) at 800-638-CPSC for information on toy safety.

Keeping pets safe during the holidays:

• Holly, mistletoe, and Poinsettias are toxic to  animals and cause cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, and even more serious symptoms like temporary blindness and seizures.
• Our pets love to chew on things, err on the side of caution when buy and placing, lights, ornaments, and decorations.
• Tinsel and ribbon are especially tempting to cats and kittens, but can pose a choking hazard, and can severely damage the intestines.  Steer clear of these if you have an indoor cat.
• Chocolate: Pets should never be given chocolate as it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmia, and death even when it is eaten small amounts. Be sure to keep chocolate off of tables where pets may have access.
• Ham:  This meat is very high in fat and will cause severe stomach problems for pets if eaten in even small amounts.

Keep hazards out of your holidays by using your head, reading labels, and erring on the side of caution.  Have a safe and sane holiday from your friends at MBC.

Sources:

Argyle Veterinary Hospital