Realty Times - Keep Your Kids and Pets Safe This Holiday Season

Front Page

Need Product Help?

Customers -- Click for Live Support

Call: 214-353-6980

Local Guides

All Local Guides
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Keep Your Kids and Pets Safe This Holiday Season

by Michele Dawson

Nothing ruins a holiday faster than your child or pet getting sick or injured due to decorations stemming from the very holiday you're celebrating.

Each year hospital emergency personnel treat about 12,500 people for holiday-related injuries from lights, decorations and Christmas trees, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The CPSC also reports 11,600 candle-related fires each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $173 million in property loss annually. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually and average more than $10 million in property loss and damage.

While it is important to always snuff out your candles and turn off your tree lights when you leave the room, there are other dangers that come with the holiday, especially when it comes to children and pets.

Child safety expert Martin Simenc, president of Home Safety Services in Redwood City, California, and a member of the International Association for Child Safety, offers visitors of online information source Parentcenter.com these tips:

Watch where you leave bowls of tiny pinecones or potpourri, wreaths, ornaments, nativity scenes, and any other decorations with unsecured pieces that can choke children. Keep candy-filled dishes on high tables or counters. Clean up carefully when wrapping presents, because kids will be attracted to scraps.

Strings of electric lights are dangerous because children can get wrapped up in the wires and risk strangulation or even electrocution. Tinsel is just as irresistible and dangerous. If you use strings or lights of any kind, hang them high and keep your children away from the outlets.

If your tree isn't anchored securely to its stand, your child may reach for a low-hanging bough and pull the whole thing down. Be sure decorative items set out cannot be toppled by giving them a good "shake test."

Consider setting up your tree and other decorations outside the primary play area and putting up a safety gate to block your child from entering the room.

Although poinsettias are not poisonous to humans, consuming large amounts can cause cramping and diarrhea.

Mistletoe, when ingested, will cause severe stomach cramps and diarrhea and can even be fatal. If you decide to hang some over your doorway, make sure it's well secured and won't be knocked to the floor where pets and young children could happen upon it. Holly and pyracantha are toxic as well. If you suspect poisoning from any plant source, contact your local poison control center immediately.

Never place a heavy potted plant on a stand. Your curious tot could pull it over.

You'll want to keep your pets safe, too.

"We see an increased number of calls related to pet poisoning during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's," said Dr. Steven Hansen, DVM, director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

The ASPCA's Poison Control Center says your pets should avoid the following while you bake, consume, and decorate during the holidays:

Chocolate. Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate can be seen with the ingestion.

Yeast dough. If ingested it can rise in the stomach and cause abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, disorientation, depression and alcohol poisoning.

Leftovers and garbage. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages. Greasy, spicy and fatty or spoiled foods can cause stomach upset and moldy foods could cause tremors or seizures.

Foil and cellophane. They can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage.

Plants. Should a pet eat mistletoe, they could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested. Poinsettias, considered to be very low in toxicity, could cause mild vomiting or nausea if ingested.

Christmas tree water. It may contain dangerous fertilizers, which if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria, and if ingested could cause nausea and diarrhea.

Tree decorations. If ingested, ribbons or tinsel can become lodged in the intestines and cause obstructions. Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. Small, breakable ornaments and tinsel and garland can get caught in throats. Pine needles can be toxic.

Electric cords. If chewed, they could electrocute your pet. Cover up or hide the cords.

Medications. During the holidays, many veterinary clinics have limited office hours and some pet owners may try to medicate their animals without their veterinarian's advice. Never give your pet any medications unless under the directions of a veterinarian.

Candles and potpourris. Lit candles produce fumes that can be harmful to birds if inhaled. Your pet's tail can knock over a burning candle. Liquid potpourri is also dangerous if ingested directly or by rubbing against leaky units and grooming. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) right away.

Here's to a safe, happy and healthy 2002 holiday season for your children and pets!

Published: December 10, 2002

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Related Articles:

Real Estate News Network

Larger Player, More Webcasts->

Get this Video Newsfeed for your Site

Mortgage Rates
30 Year Fixed: 3.87%
15 Year Fixed: 3.16%
1 Year Adj: 2.78%
(U.S. Weekly Averages)

Today's Headlines 12/10/2002

Spotlight

LIBRARY

Buyers' Advice