The
Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), has released some important holiday tips about poison dangers during this festive season.
Three poisons you may not be thinking about that the DPIC recommends keeping an eye out for include...
Alcohol
We all know that keeping alcohol laden drinks up and out of the way is smart with little ones around, however, denatured alcohol, another just as serious type of alcohol is found in gifts such as perfumes and colognes. During the holiday season, the DPIC notes a large increase in calls regarding children and alcohol poisoning and hospitals see more kids because of the same. Make sure that at your holiday parties no one leaves an unfinished drink out, and keep all gifts containing alcohol out of reach.
Essential Oils and Flavors
Salicylates in oil of wintergreen, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, and other oils and flavorings, can be very toxic to small children if ingested. If you have these items out for cooking, or gift making, be sure that small hands can't grab them up - the worst part is that most essentials oils and flavors smell yummy, so kids are drawn to them.
Dry Ice
Dry ice is something I had not thought of, but the DPIC notes that this is a skin and mouth danger. Contact with dry ice can cause tissue damage, and burns to the mouth can occur from ingestion. Treatment includes, flushing the skin with lukewarm water if direct exposure occurs, and is a child (or anyone) swallows a piece, give lukewarm water to drink.
NOTE: You should always
call poison control if you even suspect your child has ingested anything harmful. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Later we'll look at some common holiday plants that can be harmful to children. If you want more holiday safety tips right away, read the following:
