Hazards can take the happy out of the holidays
Children, pets should be watched, Poison Center staff warn
With the holidays upon us, the staff of the North Texas Poison Center located at Parkland, reminds individuals to keep safety top of mind this season.
A report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that in 2021 there were more than 152,000 toy-related, emergency department-treated injuries to children younger than 15 years of age, including two deaths. The fatalities involved choking on a small part of a toy and suffocating on a soft toy in an unsafe environment. For children younger than 15 years old, non-motorized scooters continue to be the category of toys associated with the most injuries. Males accounted for 58% of all injuries.
Dangers also lurk from what goes inside toys. Each year, more than 3,500 swallowing cases of all sizes and types of button batteries are reported to U.S. poison control centers.
“When a coin lithium button battery gets stuck in a child’s throat, the saliva triggers an electrical current. This causes a chemical reaction that can severely burn the esophagus in as little as two hours,” said Lizbeth Petty, MPH, Public Health Education Manager, North Texas Poison Center.
Lithium batteries can be found in everything in your home. They are used in remote controls, toys, musical greeting cards, calculators, watches and other electronics, even medical glucometers.
If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, Petty said to take your child to an Emergency Department immediately. If you are unsure of what to do, call the poison center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
Beyond button batteries, numerous hazards can damper on holiday festivities. Family pets can be as curious as children when it comes to decorations, food and visitors. Cats swallowing tinsel, dogs eating chocolate, and everyone – pets and children alike – dig into Aunt Sally’s open purse to see what might be in there.
Here are a few things to remember when planning holiday celebrations:
- Water from Christmas tree stands can contain bacteria. Swallowing the water can cause stomach upset and diarrhea, even if the ingredients aren’t poisonous.
- Poinsettia is not a deadly plant, despite frequent warnings in the media. However, the sap from poinsettia plants can be very irritating. Pets who chew on poinsettia can develop skin rashes and mouth irritation. If they swallow the plant, they could have stomach upset and discomfort.
- Holly leaves are prickly and can cause injury if a child or pet tries to put them in their mouth. Holly berries can be poisonous; they easily dry up and fall onto the floor where children and pets can find them.
- Even if your medicines are stored safely, be aware that visitors may have medicines in their purses or suitcases. Provide a place for these things to be stored safely, out of sight and out of reach of children and pets.
- Assign one adult to watch each child during family gatherings.
- Put leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours.
- Clean up drinks right after a party; don’t leave them for the kids to find the next morning.
“Remember the Poison Center is available around the clock, every day of the year. It’s OK to call if you just have a question about poisons,” Petty said. “Poison specialists are doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others with special training in treating poisoning – and they will answer your call 365 days a year.”
Back