Holiday lights and a pine cone on a fir tree during the holiday season.The holiday season brings celebrations, decorations, gifts, and gatherings. It can also introduce holiday hazards that are easy to overlook. Common poison risks during the holidays can include button batteries, liquids found in some decorations, lead in vintage décor, magnets, and certain holiday plants. 

Follow these holiday season safety tips to protect children, pets, and guests. If you suspect a poisoning, call the Iowa Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Free, confidential help and holiday safety advice are available 24 hours a day.

Holiday Decorations and Poison Safety

Before displaying seasonal decorations, inspect them for broken parts, leaking liquids, peeling paint, and loose batteries. 

Vintage Ornaments and Decorations

Vintage or “heirloom” decorations may contain lead or lead-based paint. Keep older decorations out of children’s reach. Wash your hands after handling items with chipped or peeling paint.

Snow Globes

Snow globes made in the United States usually contain water. However, some snow globes made in other countries have been found to contain toxic liquids such as antifreeze.

Place snow globes where children cannot reach or break them. If one breaks or leaks, prevent contact with the liquid and call Poison Control if an exposure occurs.

Menorah Oil and Lamp Oil

Paraffin lamp oil, including oil used in some menorahs, can be dangerous if swallowed. Keep menorah oil in its original, labeled container. Store it away from children, food, drinks, and medications.

Bubble Lights

Some vintage bubble lights contain a toxic liquid. Keep bubble lights away from children and pets, and dispose of damaged or leaking lights safely. If a bubble light breaks, avoid direct contact with the liquid and clean the area carefully.

Holiday Plants: Mistletoe, Holly, and Poinsettias

Holiday plants can add color to your home, but some may cause illness if eaten. Keep live plants, berries, and fallen leaves out of reach.

Is Mistletoe Poisonous?

American mistletoe can cause stomach and intestinal symptoms if swallowed. Small accidental ingestions are not likely to cause severe poisoning, but children and pets should not eat mistletoe leaves or berries.

Hang mistletoe high enough that children cannot reach it, and pick up fallen mistletoe berries promptly.

What Is Holly, and Is It Poisonous?

Holly is an evergreen plant commonly used in holiday wreaths and decorations. Its leaves are usually dark green with sharp edges, and wide varieties produce bright red berries.

Eating holly berries can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. The sharp leaves may also injure the mouth or throat. Keep the entire holly plant out of children’s reach.

Are Poinsettias Poisonous?

Poinsettias are not considered highly poisonous, but eating part of a poinsettia plant may cause mouth irritation or an upset stomach. The plant’s sap may also irritate the skin.

Keep poinsettias away from young children and pets. Call Poison Control if someone eats the plant or develops symptoms after contact.

Button Battery and Magnet Safety

Small batteries and magnets are among the most serious holiday dangers. They may be found in toys, watches, remote controls, hearing aids, key fobs, flameless candles, musical greeting cards, and other gifts.

What Happens If You Swallow a Button Battery?

A swallowed button battery can become lodged in the esophagus and cause severe internal burns. A child may not show symptoms right away, so never wait for symptoms to appear.

If you think someone swallowed a button battery:

  • Seek emergency medical care immediately.
  • Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
  • Do not make the person vomit.
  • Do not wait for symptoms before getting help.

Inspect battery compartments on toys and household devices. Make sure compartments close securely, and keep new and used batteries out of sight and reach.

How Long After Swallowing a Button Battery Do Symptoms Show?

Signs of button battery ingestion can be immediate if choking occurs or take hours to show up.

Signs of battery poisoning or internal injury may include:

  • Coughing, choking, or gagging
  • Drooling or trouble swallowing
  • Throat, chest, or abdominal pain
  • Refusing food

These symptoms may also resemble other illnesses. Some people initially have no symptoms. Treat every suspected button battery ingestion as an emergency.

Magnet Safety During the Holidays

Small, high-powered magnets can be both a poisoning risk and a choking hazard. Swallowing more than one magnet, or a magnet with another metal object, can cause the objects to attract inside the body. This may damage the intestines and require emergency treatment.

Keep loose magnets and magnetic toys away from young children. Seek immediate medical care if you think someone swallowed a magnet.

Tips for Holiday Safety and Poison Prevention

Use these simple precautions to be safe during the holidays:

  • Keep medicines, batteries, lamp oil, alcohol, and cleaning products locked away.
  • Secure battery compartments on toys and electronic devices.
  • Place holiday plants and decorations out of children’s reach.
  • Pick up fallen berries, batteries, magnets, and broken decorations immediately.
  • Give guests a secure place to store medications and bags.
  • Supervise young children closely during gatherings.
  • Keep the Poison Control number, 1-800-222-1222, saved in your phone.

Get Help With a Poisoning Emergency

The Iowa Poison Control Center provides free, confidential treatment advice 24 hours a day. If you suspect a poisoning, call 1-800-222-1222 immediately.

Knowing the most common holiday hazards and practicing poison prevention can help keep your celebration safe and enjoyable.