Greetings!   
 
Winter can be a magical time of year. Families gather for the holidays, exchanging gifts and cards, and sharing meals and resolutions for the coming New Year. As wonderful as winter can be, the season also brings some special poison hazards:
 
Carbon Monoxide (CO): Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous odorless and colorless gas. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. If you breathe in enough CO it can make you pass out, and even kill you.  
  • Install a CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery regularly.
  • Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
  • Have your home's heating system and chimneys inspected regularly to ensure proper ventilation. 
Alcohol Safety: Even a small amount of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning in children because alcohol can cause severe low blood sugar in children. Alcohol also causes depression of the central nervous system. 
  • Take special care to keep wine, beer, liquor, and mixed drinks up and away from children.
  • The alcohol found in mouthwash, hand sanitizers, and other personal care products can also cause alcohol poisoning, so keep these products away from children, too.
Toy Safety: When it comes to toys, poison centers have two main concerns: lead exposure and foreign body exposure, especially button battery ingestion. 
  • Keep antique and vintage toys out of reach of children. Do not allow children to play with antique toys, especially toys with chipping or worn paint.
  • Monitor toy recalls as you do your holiday shopping and do not purchase or allow children to play with recalled toys.
 
For these poisonings or any other concerns, call your local Texas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. We are available to answer your call on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day and every other day of the year! 
 
 
 

  
  
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Beware of Holly Berries! 
 
Boughs of holly are okay, but berries are not! Holly leaves, branches and berries are beautiful holiday decorations, but the berries are poisonous to people and pets. Swallowing holly berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and drowsiness. Children have had symptoms after swallowing as few as two holly berries.
Holly leaves might also cause symptoms if eaten but, because they are prickly, children usually leave them alone.
To prevent poisoning, remove the berries before decorating with fresh holly. Even if the holly is placed out of reach, the berries quickly dry out at indoor temperatures. Then, they fall to the floor where children and pets find them.
 
For questions about this and other holiday plants, call 1-800-222-1222.