United States: Poison experts see more accidents during the winter holiday season when kids accidentally swallow something dangerous. With all the holiday fun—visiting relatives, opening gifts, and attending parties—children face higher risks. The Nebraska Poison Center reminds parents and party hosts to be extra careful and follow safety rules to keep kids safe from poisons during the holidays. 

As reported by the HealthDay, elegant holiday plants are not meant for eating. Do not allow children who are below seven years of age, or pets to eat mistletoe, holly berries, yew plants or poinsettias. 

 • Pay attention to the presentation of small batteries. Watches, toys, games, remotes, musical greeting cards, etc.  may have button or disc batteries. Ingested, they can lodge in one’s throat and potentially result in severe harm, or even death, if not surgically removed. 

 • Be vigilant of water beads and magnets in toys. Growable beads and rare earth magnets are unsafe for those who may put them into mouth. It can become stuck to the wall of the intestines, and this is likely to cause a medical crisis if magnets are whi ½ ling. For instance, if water beads are ingested, they enlarge and result to the blockage of the intestines. 

 • Aways wear a mask and remember to avoid nicotine vaping, chewing tobacco or any cannabis products like CBD & THC. Often, they are packaged in bright attractive colors that can easily resemble candy or some other food product that is desirable to children. Some of the effects of nicotine and if ingested by the young person’s causes such as shakiness, vomiting and even seizures. 

These items should not be left in the open the spaces where all the residents can see such items of tend to obtain them easily therefore, they should be locked and placed at a position that any human being cannot access them. 

 Lock up cleaning cabinets. Like detergents and soaps, cleaners, laundry products and others should also be stored out of reach for children. Avoid combining chemical substances when cleaning and follow strictly all the instructions indicated on those cleaning solutions. 

 • Reinforce to those kin groups without young children that it’s unlawful to keep child-proofing prescription drugs. Allow friends and families take their medications home stored up, hidden and locked safe, not open, and visible on a table or a shelf. Ensure all handbags including wallets and briefcases are well protected. 

 • Be careful about the bar and the alcohol. Alcoholic products are easily available during functions. Wipe after parties and do not leave behind anything with alcohol. 

 Unfortunately, happiness and sorrow may go hand in hand during the holiday season. As the number of seasonal Poison Center calls related to children escalates, so do calls where the toxicity was intentional.