For a lot of people, a big part of the holiday season is making your home feel festive. When you’re decorating, keep in mind a few risks that can come from holiday plants, ornaments and even food.
Erin Ryan, PharmD, a pharmacist with Banner Health, shared some safety hazards and allergen triggers to watch for so you and everyone in your home can have a happy, healthy holiday season.
Holiday plants
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are a popular holiday decoration that you can probably use safely. It’s a good idea to keep them out of the reach of children and pets, but they aren’t as dangerous as you may think.
“Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not highly toxic,” Dr. Ryan said. If your child or pet eats part of a poinsettia, they might have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a skin rash, but these plants aren’t deadly.
Keep in mind that poinsettias are part of the rubber tree family. “People with latex allergies may be sensitive to poinsettias and could experience allergic reactions, such as skin rashes or respiratory symptoms if they are exposed to the plant,” Dr. Ryan said.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a classic holiday symbol that’s usually hung in doorways, which helps keep it out of reach of children and pets. Still, it’s important to be careful with this plant.
There are two types of mistletoe — American and European. “American mistletoe is generally safe, causing no symptoms in most people and some mild nausea and vomiting in a small number,” Dr. Ryan said.
European mistletoe is more dangerous, especially for pets. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea and drooling, and, in rare cases, more severe symptoms like low blood pressure, seizures or even death. It has also been linked to poisoning and even death in people.
Even if you hang your mistletoe high, there’s a chance it could fall, and pets and children could reach it. It’s safer to use artificial mistletoe.
Holly
Holly is a holiday favorite for decorating mantels, wreaths and centerpieces. But the berries dry out quickly and can easily fall to the floor, where kids or pets can get to them.
“Holly can cause vomiting and diarrhea with as few as two berries. These berries are bright red and may look interesting and tasty to children,” Dr. Ryan said. Pets may have symptoms like drooling, head shaking, vomiting and diarrhea.
Even though holly mainly causes digestive symptoms, it’s best to use artificial holly or cut the berries off and decorate with the leaves if children or pets are in your home.
Lily
“One plant that people may encounter during the holidays and not realize is dangerous, at least to pets, is the lily,” Dr. Ryan said. “Lillies are commonly used in bouquets that might be around during festive seasons. They can cause kidney failure in cats when they’re eaten.”
Allergens
Christmas trees
Most people aren’t allergic to natural Christmas trees, but they can still cause reactions. “Natural Christmas trees can carry pollen and dust in their branches, which can trigger allergies in some people. They can also grow mold, especially if the water in the tree stand is not changed regularly,” Dr. Ryan said.
To help minimize these problems, spray the tree with water before you bring it into your home to get rid of pollen, dust and mold spores. And be sure to change the tree water frequently.
“Artificial Christmas trees do not have the same issue with pollen, so they may be a good choice for someone who has a pollen allergy. But they can also cause issues if they are allowed to accumulate dust,” Dr. Ryan said. “And people with asthma should avoid the fake snow found on some artificial trees, as this can irritate the lungs.”
Dusty decorations
You probably pack away your holiday ornaments, wreaths and garlands every year. Even if they’re inside boxes, they are most likely getting dusty. When you pull those boxes out of storage, you may stir up a cloud of dust and dust mites, which can cause sneezing, itchy eyes and asthma symptoms.
It’s a good idea to store your decorations in sealed plastic bins covered with a tarp. When it’s time to get them out again, fold back the tarp to keep any dust that settled from spreading and wipe down the bins before you move them.
Scented candles and air fresheners
“People with asthma and allergies should avoid using scented candles, air fresheners and popular products like cinnamon brooms in their home if they find that they worsen their symptoms,” Dr. Ryan said. These items could cause sneezing, coughing or difficulty breathing. Be cautious with soy candles, too. They could trigger reactions in people with soy allergies.
You may also want to talk to friends and family before visits so they can avoid using strongly fragranced products and lighting candles before gatherings.
Fireplaces
The glow of a wood-burning fireplace may be part of the holidays, but it’s not a good idea for people with asthma. “The small particles created by burning wood can trigger symptoms,” Dr. Ryan said. Even using a fireplace once in a while may cause coughing, wheezing and other symptoms.
Smoke from fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and cigarettes can also be an irritant for people with allergies.
Use an electric fireplace instead or arrange battery-operated candles in a wood-burning fireplace.
Food allergies
“Approximately 90% of food allergies are to one of eight major food groups: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans,” Dr. Ryan said. “These allergens are found in many holiday foods.”
You may find allergens in:
- Eggnog
- Cookies, pies and other baked goods
- Stuffing
- Sweet potato casserole
- Sauces and dressings
- Self-basting turkeys — which often contain soy
It’s a good idea to ask hosts about their ingredients. If you don’t feel comfortable, bring your own safe food or snacks. Always carry auto-injectable epinephrine with you if you have severe food allergies.
Fire risks
In addition to potential allergies, natural Christmas trees also pose a risk of fire, especially if they aren’t maintained or have faulty electric decorations. Here’s how you can reduce the odds of a fire:
- Choose a fresh tree with green needles that don’t shed easily.
- Keep the tree away from lighted candles, fireplaces, radiators and space heaters.
- Water the tree often to keep it from drying out.
- Use only lights that are safety tested and make sure they are working properly. Don’t overload electrical outlets or leave lights on unattended.
- Properly dispose of the tree once it becomes dry. Don’t burn it in your fireplace or leave it in the home or garage, where it can become a fire hazard.
- Make sure your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are working.
Choking and swallowing risk
The holidays can be a time when children choke on small parts or swallow button batteries, which can cause serious and sometimes deadly injuries.
Store all small parts and batteries out of the reach of children. You might not realize all the places small batteries can hide. They might be in wireless devices, light-up decorations, shoes, key fobs, kitchen scales, flameless candles and other common items.
The bottom line
“The holidays are a hectic time that provide plenty of opportunities for children, pets and even adults to get into plants, toys, chemicals or countless other things. If this happens, don't panic and don't try to Google whether it's dangerous,” Dr. Ryan said. Poison control is available 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222 to provide fast, accurate information about what to do.
To learn more about keeping your home and family members safe during the holiday season, reach out to the experts at Banner Health.
