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Show Injuries and illnesses to young children Parents warned of holiday hazards Parents need to be aware of r potential holiday hazards for their children, according to a physician at Primary Children's Medical Center's Emergency Department. 'Every year at mis time, we see young children with injuries and illness il-lness from decorations, plans and other materials commonly found around the house at Christmastime," says Tony Woodward, Wood-ward, M.D., emergency department physician at Primary Children's Medical Center. According to Dr. Woodward, live mistletoe has one of the highest danger quotients. Death in young children after eating as few as two mistletoe berries has been documented. docu-mented. Even if the sprig of mistletoe is hung in its traditional spot above a doorway, out of children's reach, the berries can fall onto the floor where young children can find them. "We suggest you substitute the plastic replicas of mistletoe if you have children around," says Dr. Woodward. Another potentially harmful plant is the holly, whose berries can result in severe stomach distress and even death. Twenty to thirty holly berries produce serious symptoms. In contrast, Christmas poinsettias have the undeserved reputation of being highly poisonous. While ingestion in-gestion of parts of the un-domesticated un-domesticated tropical variety can indeed cause death, the hybrid poinsettia available in flower shops and grocery stores in the U.S. will produce only mild stomach upset if eaten. "I would suggest as a general safety rule, however, that parents teach children not to eat the leaves, flowers or fruits of any plant not specifically intended for consumption," consump-tion," recommends Dr. Woodward. Another dangerous item sometimes brought into the home during the Christmas season is fireplace salt, a mixture of heavy metals which produce colorful flames in the yuletide blaze. Generally these mixtures contain large amounts of copper salts, arsen ic, lead, and other agents which cause severe abdominal pain and may cause death from respiratory or heart failure. Decorative lights for the Christmas tree can be dangerous as well. "We see toddlers every year who try to eat the miniature lights from the tree," notes Dr. Woodward. Wood-ward. Little fingers can easily dislodge a light from its push-in base. The glass and wires in the light can become embedded in the lining of the throat, lungs, esophagus or stomach, causing problems. A more serious lighting hazard is the bubble light, enjoying a resurgence res-urgence of popularity. The bulbs contain methylene chloride which can cause central nervous system problems if swallowed, and large amounts can cause liver or kidney damage. The batteries inside Christmas toys may lead caustic contents if they are swallowed. ' 'The tiny button batteries are particularly easy for small children to swallow," says Dr. Woodward, "and these are still dangerous even after the battery is dead. ' Parents should also be certain that alcoholic beverages are not left out after parties, etc., where they can be reached by small children. A glassful of some types of alcohol -an produce seizures, coma and The Utah Poison Control Center is open 24 hours a day to advise parents on the correct course of action ac-tion if a child swallows something worrisome. Call 581-2151 in the Salt Lake area, or call toll-free outside out-side the Salt Lake valley 1-800-456-7707. The emergency room at Primary Children's Medical Center is also open 24 hours a day. |
