December 2006
Health Notes: Tips for a Safe and Decorative Holiday
Holiday decorating means bringing some unusual things into the home, such as sparkly adornments and plants with bright berries. Most decorations are safe, but some of these festive items carry the risk of injury and poisoning, especially to babies and younger children. Here are some tips for having a safe and decorative holiday.
Holiday Decorations
Holiday light strands for indoor or outdoor use may contain
lead in the PVC wire coating. The lead can rub off on hands and then be
swallowed. Some strands have labels saying that they contain lead, in
accordance with California’s Proposition 65. This law requires products
to carry warning labels if they are “known to the State of California
to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.” Since
these labels are not found on all light strands, the absence of a label
does not mean it is lead-free. Assume all light strands have some lead,
and have children and adults wash their hands with soap and water after
handling lighting and before eating.
To reduce the risk of fire, always unplug lights when you leave the house,
and avoid plugging too many strings of lights into one outlet or extension
cord. Place trees so that they will not be pulled over by toddlers or
pets, and watch that they do not chew on cords.
Bubble lights contain a small amount of methylene chloride, a hazardous chemical also found in paint remover. These lights, with their bright colors and bubbling movement, can tempt curious children to break the candle-shaped glass. Keep them away from children, and bring them to a household hazardous waste facility for disposal.
Christmas tree ornaments are not poison hazards, but a young child could choke on small parts. Antique or foreign-made ornaments may be decorated with lead-based paint.
Tinsel, icicles, glitter and garlands are usually made of
plastic, aluminum or tin, but some may contain lead. Do not let children
handle or chew them.
Artificial snow contains wax and long-chain fatty acids that are nontoxic.
However, inhaling the aerosol could cause breathing problems. To avoid
injury, read container labels and follow directions carefully.
Wax candles are generally nontoxic – but not very tasty! Those with metallic wick cores may contain lead and should not be burned.
Angel hair is not poisonous, but it is made of spun glass (similar to fiberglass) and may irritate the eyes, skin or mouth.
Gift wrap is generally nontoxic, but some foil and colored
gift wrap and ribbons may contain lead. Do not burn these products, and
do not let babies chew on them.
Fire salts, which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires, contain
heavy metals that can cause intense stomach pain or vomiting if eaten.
Keep away from children.
Necklaces with mercury from Mexico have shown up in Washington. They have a fragile glass pendant containing liquid silver mercury or other colorful liquids. This jewelry, and any other products with mercury, should NEVER be kept – bring them to a household hazardous waste disposal center. (Call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.Earth911.org and plug in your zip code.)
Seasonal Plants
Poinsettias may irritate the mouth and the sap may irritate the skin of some people, but contrary to popular opinion, they are otherwise nontoxic.
Holly berries are poisonous if a child eats a lot of the bright red berries.
Mistletoe berries, leaves and stem are considered poisonous. They may just cause a stomachache, but if a child eats a significant amount, call the Washington Poison Center (1-800-222-1222).
Evergreen needles are nontoxic, but they may have been sprayed with pesticides. Try to choose an organically grown tree. Commercial Christmas tree preservatives usually contain a concentrated sugar solution and are considered nontoxic. Homemade solutions containing aspirin or bleach can be potentially harmful if a child swallows a large amount.
Rachel Donnette is an education and outreach specialist with the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department.
Resources
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – visit the Web site at www.cpsc.gov, and search for “holiday decorations.”
Washington Poison Center – 1-800-222-1222. www.wapc.org.
United States Fire Administration, holiday fire safety tips – 301-447-1000. www.usfa.dhs.gov/safety/tips/holiday.shtm.
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