Christmas Safety
Christmas Trees:
The University of North Carolina, Asheville warns about older artificial trees. A 2003 study found some of those branches may have been made with PVC and putting those trees near heat, like a sunny window or fireplace, makes matters worse. Allan Hirsch of the California Environmental Protection Agency says, "These trees, some of the plastics, will dissolve into a dust and lead will be in that dust." Ingesting lead, especially by children, can be toxic. That's why on holiday lights sold in California, many have warning labels on the outside because of a 1986 voter approved initiative called Proposition 65. Hirsch says, "It's just a heads up to the buyer that the product does contain a substance that has been identified as causing cancer or reproductive harm."
Even with newer trees, made outside the United States, lead toxicity still poses a strong risk.
Also consider possible lead on tree ornaments - especially if they are older or made outside the United States. Tree ornaments (or parts of them) can also be ingested possibly leading to internal blockage. Also, glass ornaments and lights commonly leave cuts and lacerations in the mouth if chewed.
Some dogs and cats like to drink the tree water; the water itself is not poisonous, but if a fertilizer was added to the water it may be poisonous. This fertilizer may cause the pet to suffer with diarrhea and vomiting. It is best to try to prevent the pets from drinking tree water by keeping it covered.
Many cats love to climb the Christmas tree. This by itself is not really dangerous, unless the tree is knocked over, this could lead to injury.
Holiday Lights:
The holiday light cords with the warning label contain at least 2% lead. Consumers must wash their hands after handling them and keep children away.
Self-cleaning Ovens:
Self-cleaning ovens: Do not run the self-cleaning cycle on ovens when birds are around. Self-cleaning ovens are lined with PTFE (Teflon) and reach 900 degrees Fahrenheit during the self-cleaning cycle and emit gasses into the air that kill birds rather quickly.
PTFE is odorless and invisible. Birds die an extremely painful and agonizing death when exposed to these fumes. This product may not kill all the birds at the same time. The toxins travel on air currants; furthermore, the size of the bird is also a factor. Please make sure that any cookware, bulbs, heaters / heating bulbs (even hair dryers) are not coated with Teflon; if in doubt, do not use around your birds.
Fire authorities shed light on Christmas dangers
Fire crews are warning residents who light up their homes with festive decorations to be aware of the serious risks they face. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service senior operations coordinator Frank Stemm says Christmas tree fires are too common at this time of year, mainly because people do not check their lights for faults. He says people should also turn lights and displays off before they go to sleep, to prevent overheating.
"With the different types that are coming out now, we try and encourage people, when they go to bed, to switch off their Christmas lights or if they're leaving the house for any great length of time that they should ensure that they are switched off - make sure that they are the correct ones for the exterior of the buildings, like the ones they have around Christmas trees are not suitable for outside," he said.
Holiday Plants Toxic to Pets:
There are a few popular holiday plants to be careful with during the Christmas season. These plants include but are not limited too: poinsettia, mistletoe, and holly. If your pet comes into contact with these plants it is better to play it safe and call your veterinarian. Many plants cause vomiting and diarrhea; these symptoms might be avoided if treatment for toxicity is started immediately.
Christmas tree pine needles: Can produce oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling and posterior weakness.
Holly: Can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression.
Mistletoe: Another Christmas plant, ingestion can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death.
Poinsettia: Can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting
First Aid Instructions following Toxic Exposure
In a life-and-death situation when every minute counts for an animal, you can call the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center for 24-hour emergency information at 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435). Website: National Animal Poisoning Control Center.
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