Decorations can poison tots

Mistletoe, tree lights, ornaments, tinsel and a visit from grandparents are among the happiest signs of the holiday season. But they may also pose an increased risk of poisoning for small children, according to the Utah Poison Control Center.

Actually, Grandma and Grandpa aren't the risk, although their medications may very well be, especially if they're not used to thinking in terms of small children, said Marty Malheiro, poison center education specialist. "This time of year, we often see visitors to people's houses, like grandparents, who bring their medications and they're not always in child-resistant containers. They're not thinking in those terms, and neither are parents."

Many of the medications that are commonly used by senior citizens are dangerous if a child eats one, including heart and blood pressure medications.

Two items top the list of holiday concerns for poison-control staff, Malheiro said: Lamp oil — "extremely harmful, even just one swallow" — and the material inside the popular "bubble lights."

They also get calls during the holidays about battery ingestion and Christmas tree ornaments and tinsel and other baubles of the season. A child who chews a bright ornament may end up swallowing glass. The berries from seasonal plants such as holly and mistletoe are pretty, but they're also toxic. And if tinsel is swallowed, it can cause major GI tract problems, Malheiro said.

Many of the things that are attractive to small children are just as appealing — and as harmful — to the family pet. (Malheiro said to remember, as well, that the human favorite, chocolate, and especially dark chocolate, can be very toxic for dogs.)

Alcohol may be more available during the holidays and it's dangerous for small bodies, she said. "They don't metabolize it like adults. It's really a problem."

The poison control center sees a real spike in children's poisonings at age 18 months, when the child is curious and really moving around. "If anything at all is going on in the house, it's difficult to always have an eye on an 18-month-old," she said.

While children aren't typically exploring garages, Malheiro also warns about windshield washer fluid and antifreeze, available in bright, appealing colors. (Even a lick, for some animals, Malheiro said, can be deadly.)

The other big poisoning concern for the season is carbon monoxide. "We've already had calls this winter," said Malheiro. "Every year we should fire up the furnace and get it checked before winter use sets in.

"Typically, we don't see a lot of extra poisonings. But these are some we see and they can be serious."

The poison crisis line is 1-800-222-1222. Information is also online at www.utahpoisoncontrol.org.

---

E-mail: lois@desnews.com