The most wonderful time of year can quickly turn hazardous as holiday stressors increase the risk for preventable poisoning injuries. Many common household products can pose a significant risk.
Anything can be a poison if it is used in the wrong way, in the wrong amount, or by the wrong person. The dose of a product determines how toxic something is to the body.
“Even though the “to do” list seems to grow as the days count down, let’s not forget about the importance of making the holidays injury-free,” Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center, said.
Celebrating the holidays during a pandemic brings about other health concerns. Traditional holiday activities carry a high risk for spreading both COVID-19 and seasonal flu germs.
This year, families should choose safer ways to celebrate to prevent spreading illness. Holiday gatherings should only include the people you live with (immediate household members). Now that community spread is so high, it’s likely that someone at your gathering will unknowingly pass coronavirus to the entire group.
“The holidays are an exciting yet potentially dangerous time of year,” Calello said. “We become distracted and forget to pay attention to what’s happening around us, especially in our homes. Accidental poisoning injuries often occur right under our noses. It’s important to know that you can call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate medical help when an emergency or question arises.” Potential household dangers involve more than just medicines. Many people, especially those who are not used to worrying about the curious minds of small children or pets, often forget some of the things we carry with us pose a real danger if used in the wrong way or by the wrong person.
Things like medicine, certain foods, and even personal care products can be dangerous in the hands of the wrong person (or animal).
Home
- Medicine – Be sure to provide house guests with a secure (locked) place to store their medicines (over the counter, prescription, vitamins, herbal or dietary supplements) while visiting. Remember not to leave medicines in a purse, on a nightstand or counter, or in the bathroom as the items are easily accessible from these places.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) – Don’t be fooled, carbon monoxide can and does kill every year. CO is a poisonous gas overlooked by many because it gives no warning – you can’t see, smell, hear, or taste it. The buildup of carbon monoxide gas is undetectable without a CO detector. Symptoms of CO poisoning can easily be confused with symptoms of viral illnesses like the common cold, the flu, and COVID-19.
- Disc Batteries & Magnets – These items are usually found in watches, toys, games, flashing costume jewelry, singing greeting cards, holiday decorations, and remote-control devices. Disc batteries and magnets are easy to swallow making them a choking hazard for children and pets. Disc batteries may also get stuck in the throat or stomach causing serious burns and possible death. Magnets can also cause serious damage to internal organs.
- Pets – Accidental poisonings happen to pets, too. Make sure to keep the following products out of sight and reach of pets — chocolate, cocoa, candy and sugarless gum that contains xylitol, yeast bread, dough, leftover fatty meat scraps, fruitcakes with raisins and currants, alcohol and illicit drugs. Ingestion of any of these can cause serious harm and even death.
Entertaining
- Food Safety – Getting sick from eating contaminated food is quite common. Although anyone is susceptible to food poisoning, the effects may be more serious for certain groups such as young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. The effects of food poisoning are not always immediate and can range from mild to severe.
- Alcohol – If accidentally swallowed by children and pets, alcohol can be toxic, even a small amount. Alcohol affects children and pets differently than adults. Immediately empty alcoholic drinks left around the house after a party to prevent accidental ingestion. A person or pet who seems drunk or has passed out may be showing early signs of alcohol poisoning and be in real danger. Get immediate medical help. “Sleeping it off” is never a safe option. Know the critical signs of alcohol poisoning.
- Marijuana Edibles – Be mindful of what guests bring into your home. Many edible products look nearly identical to store-bought candy and other food products. Unsuspecting adults and children may not be able to tell the products apart. Pets can be poisoned by edibles too. Products may contain high concentrations of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), causing the potential for severe effects.
- Vaping Products and Liquid Nicotine – Liquid nicotine exposures concern poison center specialists. Liquid nicotine, also known as e-liquid, vape juice, or e-juice, contains concentrated nicotine. Swallowing even small amounts of this substance can pose serious and even fatal health effects for young children and pets. When not being used, vaping products including their refill liquids should be stored in a locked area.
If you think someone came in contact with something potentially dangerous, do not hesitate to get help from your local poison control center. Call 1-800-222-1222 for free, medical treatment advice and information, 24/7.
If someone is unconscious, not breathing, hard to wake up, or having a seizure, immediately call 9-1-1.
New Jersey residents can: Call (1-800-222-1222) or Text (973-339-0702)