Posted on December 23, 2007 in latest news
Nothing is more wondrous to a child that’s been decked out for Christmas. But if proper precautions are not taken, nothing can turn out to be more dangerous. Concealed in many idyllic living room scenes are a host of hazards. All of the following are potential threats to your baby. Some should be used with care others shouldn’t be used at all. At least until your child is older wiser and less vulnerable.
- Mistletoe and Jerusalem cherry: Both of them can be deadly if eaten. Do not bring them into your home or let the baby play near them when visiting.
- Holly: This plant is only slightly poisonous (large quantities must be consumed for a baby to suffer serious consequences). But it is wise to keep it out of your baby’s reach.
- Poinsettia: This is holiday beauty can cause local irritation to the mouth and perhaps serious stomach upset of large quantities are ingested. Keep it out of reach.
- Evergreens: A cut tree should be fresh and should be kept well-watered. Any dry green should be discarded to avoid a fire hazard. Artificial trees don’t let you off the safety hook entirely. Choose one that is labeled fire resistant. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. Pulling up a branch could lead to baby pulling down a tree.
- Pine needles: Sweep these up regularly and of possible, keep pine trees, wreaths and branches out of reach of babies and toddlers. Pine needles can cause a persistent croupy cough if they lodge in the trachea. Seek medical help if you suspect this.
- Snow-scene paperweights: Although the liquid inside these is not poisonous, once broken it can become contaminated with germs. Discard if the paperweight becomes cracked.
- Angel hair: This is spun glass which can irritate skin and eyes and cause internal bleeding if swallowed. Use high up and out of baby’s reach if at all.
- Artificial snow spray or flocking: These can aggravate a respiratory problem. So don’t use if anyone in the family has one.
- Tree lights: Because young children can bite these enticing ornaments and suffer internal cuts. Hang them high out of reach. Keep cords out of reach too. Be careful about small blinking lights which contain a chemical which is hazardous if ingested.
- Candles: Light them and keep completely out of babies reach and of course away from curtains and other flammable materials. Never leave them lit and unsupervised. Make sure they are though roughly extinguished before leaving the house or retiring at night. I you display them in a window be sure curtains are securely tied back.
- Mini-decorations: Very small tree ornaments, tree lights or any item smaller than the diameter of a toilet paper tube (or with parts that small that can be broken or pulled of) can cause choking. Don’t use these or use them only when you are sure baby can not get to them.
- Tinsel, glass or plastic ornaments and Styrofoam: All of these are choking hazards. If a piece is bitten off, it can get stuck in the throat or depending on what the ornament is made of can cause internal bleeding.
- Tree preservatives: If you use these make sure a curious baby can’t dip into a tree container or an unusual and unhealthy snack.
- Food and drink: Every year hundreds of young children are rushed to A&E after downing a martini, beer, or cupful of eggnog or spiked punch left carelessly within their reach. Others choke on olive, nuts, cocktail sausages, etc. So play it safe when hosting a Christmas party. Be sure such items are not left around even briefly on coffee or end tables where even moderately active crawlers can get to them.
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