The holidays are supposed to be a time of cheer but certain seasonal items we have in our houses could lead to an accidental poisoning. Tammy Noble, a registered nurse and the education coordinator for the Iowa Poison Control Center, says alcohol poisoning is common in children year round, but the risk increases during the holidays, and not just because you stocked up on beer, wine and liquor for a party.

“Perfumes, colognes and aftershaves have alcohol in them and high concentrations of it,” Noble says. “It doesn’t take much for a child to drink for it to become toxic or be worried about alcohol poisoning.” Button-sized batteries found in toys, music-playing holiday cards and a host of other items could be hazardous if bitten or swallowed. Iowans who plan to decorate their windows using that spray-on snow should also be careful, especially if kids are nearby.

“If they happen to lick the window, it’s really not much of a problem,” Noble says. “We’re more concerned when you’re spraying it and breathing in the fumes, that can be harmful, but once it’s dried on the window, it’s essentially non-toxic.” The bright colors of lamp oils are very attractive to young children. Even if the oil bottles have child safety caps, most lamps that the oils are poured into do not. Lamp oil can get into a child’s lungs if swallowed and can be deadly. Noble says Christmas tree ornaments may also pose as a hazard for kids and pets.

“Some of them are glass or styrofoam or a thin plaster,” Nobel says. “They don’t pose much of a poison risk if you swallow them but they can pose a choking hazard, so be aware of that. If you have antique ornaments that have metalic paints on them, some of those could have high concentrations of lead-based paints in it.”

Eggnog containing raw or undercooked eggs can make you and your guests sick, she says, so use pasteurized egg products or buy ready-made pasteurized eggnog. The Sioux City-based Iowa Poison Control Center is available around-the-clock at 800-222-1222.

(Radio Iowa)