Family gatherings, special traditions, delicious treats - it
just may be the most wonderful time of the year, especially for
kids. Unfortunately, for emergency room doctors it's also one
of the busiest. Take time out to learn how to protect your little
ones from some common holiday dangers, and you and your family can
enjoy a season that's happy and healthy.
Poisoning
- Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry plants, and
other plants are commonly used as decorations during the
holidays. Like many plants, these are considered potentially
poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children.
Symptoms of plant poisoning can include rashes, nausea,
vomiting
, and
diarrhea
. If you suspect that your child has eaten any part of a plant,
immediately call your doctor or the National Poison Center:
(800) 222-1222
.
- "Bubble lights" containing methylene chloride can
be poisonous if a child drinks the fluid from more than one light
(even if labeled nontoxic). Snow sprays may be harmful if the
aerosol propellants are used improperly.
-
Alcohol
poisoning is a common risk for children during the holiday
season. Many parents host holiday parties where alcohol is
served. Parents must take care to remove
all
empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible. Because kids
imitate adults, many may drink the beverages they see adults
drinking. Children become "drunk" much more quickly
than adults, so even small amounts of alcohol can be
dangerous.
- Food poisoning is another potential holiday hazard. Practice
food safety
by washing hands, utensils, dishes, and anything else that comes
in contact with raw meat, including poultry and fish, and raw
eggs before and after use. Don't contaminate a serving dish
with raw meat. Store leftovers properly and heat them thoroughly
before serving.
Choking and Swallowing
- Tree ornaments, light bulbs, icicles, tinsel, and small toys
are potential
choking
hazards for small children because they may block the airway. The
general rule of thumb is that if it's small enough to fit in
the mouths of babies and toddlers, it's too small to play
with.
- Common holiday foods such as peanuts or popcorn are potential
choking hazards and should not be given to children under age
4.
- The needles of holiday trees can cause painful cuts in the
mouth and throat of a child who swallows them.
- Angel hair (made from finely spun glass) and ornament hangers
may cause cuts, skin irritation, or
eye damage
if touched or swallowed by children.
Fire
- Keep your tree secured in a sturdy stand so that it
doesn't tip over (or isn't knocked over by kids or pets)
and keep it away from all heat sources such as electrical
outlets, radiators, and portable space heaters. If you buy an
artificial tree, be sure that it is labeled
"fire-retardant." Unplug all lights, both indoor and
outdoor, and extinguish all candles every night before you go to
bed.
- Avoid using real candles on a tree because if the needles are
dry they can easily catch fire. Never leave the room with single
candles or menorah candles burning - it only takes a minute for a
spark from a candle to burst into flames. Keep live candles away
from windowsills and mantles and use only flame-retardant
decorations when decking your halls.
- Circuits that are overloaded with lights, decorations, and
accessories can start a fire. Don't overload indoor or
outdoor electrical outlets.
- Have your fireplace inspected before you light your first
fire of the season. A chimney professional can clean your
fireplace and ensure that it is safe to use. You can protect your
family by using a sturdy fireplace screen when burning fires.
Never burn paper or pine boughs, since those materials can float
out of the chimney and ignite a nearby home.
- Practice
fire safety
, have a family emergency plan in the event of a fire, and check
smoke detectors before you put up your holiday decorations. These
steps will ensure that your family will be able to celebrate many
holiday seasons to come.
Accidents
- A lot of cooking goes on during the holiday season; as a
result, there are a lot of opportunities for burns and scaldings.
Keep pot handles turned away from the front of the stove and
always keep the oven door closed. To prevent accidents, watch
your children while you bake or cook. Kitchen appliances should
be clean to prevent potential fires.
- Keep breakable ornaments out of young kids' reach - or
keep them off the tree until your children are older. If one does
break, clean up the broken glass quickly.
- There is an increased incidence of
car accidents and injuries
to children during the holiday season. Parents can prevent a
holiday ER visit by making sure the kids are buckled up securely
during car rides and by not driving after drinking alcohol. In
addition, be wary when traveling during the evenings of holidays
such as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, since there is a
higher incidence of drunk-driving accidents on these days.
- Sledding accidents can be very serious. Young kids should be
supervised and should avoid dangerous sledding areas, such as
rocky areas, steep hills, and crowded sledding hills.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.