The holidays bring cheer, joy and potential hazards.
The University of Kansas Hospital experiences an uptick in calls into the Poison Control Center during holiday gatherings.
The greatest number of calls comes for children under the age of five.
“You've got people coming home, grandma, grandparents whatever it may be and you have medications in the purse and they put it in the corner, they just forget it," said emergency physician Dr. Stephen Thornton. "Unfortunately that two year old will explore everything and find those medications and take it.”
Alcohol accounts for some of those emergency calls as well.
Another danger comes from the dinner table.
Gastroenterologists see a spike in food impactions during the holidays. That's when meat or other foods get stuck in the esophagus.
“The old adage of your mom telling you to chew your food thirty times, do it. Because there's a reason for that,” said Brent Laster learned that lesson the hard way.
A piece of steak led Laster to a costly emergency room visit.
“Someone from down the hall had called my name and I turned to answer them and I swallowed," said Laster. "I probably should have chewed it a little better before I swallowed.”
And beware of the Christmas decorations.
- Bubble lights containing methylene chloride, which can be a hazardous if a child drinks the fluid (even if labeled non-toxic).
- Snow spray may be harmful if used improperly.
- Angel hair (made from finely spun glass) and ornaments hangers may cause cuts or irritation.
- Christmas tree needles can cause painful cuts in the mouth and throat if swallowed.
- Heirloom decorations may contain lead paint.
Christmas cactus is safe.
But if ingested, mistletoe and holly berries can be toxic.
- Christmas Cactus - This plant is considered non-toxic
- Holly - The bright red berries are toxic
- Poinsettia - Not poisonous, eating many leaves may cause a mild upset stomach.
- Mistletoe - All parts of the plant are toxic.
- Jerusalem cherry - The bright orange and dark berries are toxic.
- Christmas rose - All parts of the plant are toxic.
Doctors say if someone ingests something that’s potentially toxic to call the poison control line (800) 222-1222 to see if it requires a trip to the emergency room.
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Shannon Halligan can be reached at shannon.halligan@kshb.com.
