Winter and Winter Holiday Safety
The numerous activities that are involved in the winter holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years present certain poison concerns.
Food plays a significant role during the holidays, and caution needs to be exercised in food preparation processes, especially since during the holidays people sometimes prepare things with which they have little experience. It is very important that meat, such as turkey, be prepared and cooked properly. Do not prepare other foods on the same surface, or with the same hands, that have handled raw meat and not yet been washed. Regularly wash hands during food preparation, and discard food that is old and has been improperly stored.
For more information on proper food handling and food safety, see the US Government's page on Food Safety, and also the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline webpage. You can also call the Meat and Poultry hotline directly at 1-888-674-6854.
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Alcohol left out after a party poses a risk to curious children. |
Parties are another potential hazard, especially for children. Alcohol poisoning is always a concern, however, often during the holidays more alcohol is consumed, and occasionally children receive less supervision. Children may imitate adults and drink the remaining contents of glasses not cleaned up after a party. Children also may eat cigarette butts that are left out after a party, and this is likewise quite dangerous for them. Always clean up after a party and keep dangerous substances out of the reach of children.
New decorations or visitors also present a potential new source of hazards for children. Children may be drawn to eat certain colorful holiday plants, or to put other curious or colorful decorative items in their mouths. Visitors may also unintentionally leave potentially toxic personal care products or medications out. Be aware as to whether new items in your home present hazards to children.
The winter season is also often the time when more medications, such as cough remedies and antibiotics, are being used in the home. It is important for adults to remember not to mix medicines, not to exceed dosages, and not to use other people's medicines. It is also important for adults to take care in their usage of medicines so as to not put children at risk. Do not leave medicine in an area easily accessible to children, and do not tell children that medicine is candy to induce them to take it. See our section on Medications for further information on preventing medication poisonings.
Download the Center's Winter Holiday Safety Fact Sheet.
Spring and Summer Concerns
Consult our Outdoor Hazards page for more information on plant, animal, insect and pesticide poisonings that are often a greater concern during the spring and summer.
Swimming is another summer activity with which caution needs to exercised. Swimming pools are treated with chemicals, which can be dangerous if used or stored incorrectly. Chlorine can be particularly dangerous, if a concentrated form is inhaled. Use a reliable test kit to insure that the proper quantities and types of chemicals are used. Do not to add chemicals to the pool while swimmers are in the water. The person adding the chemicals to the pool should likewise take care not to inhale the substances or allow them come in contact with his or her skin. When storing, be sure to keep chemicals in their original containers, in a cool, clean dry area, and away from acids or flammable items. Furthermore, do not mix chemicals together- even if they are same substance from different packages.
Food, alcohol and cigarette issues discussed in the Winter Holiday section are also a concern during on the Fourth of July Holiday. Additionally, the Fourth of July also involves the danger of fireworks and of glowsticks. Glowsticks, because their glowing "chemiluminescence" is contained, are often preferred to the danger of sparklers or other novelties which actually throw flames. However, if a glowstick breaks- as may occur if a child bites it- its chemical contents can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and throat. Often there is also broken glass within the stick which can pose a danger to children. Instruct children not to bite a glowstick and do not allow them to play with a broken one.
Interested parties might want to make use of the Center's re-publishable article about Pool Safety.
Mold
Mold is always present in the environment, but it may become more of a problem during the change of seasons. While not all mold is bad, some mold can make people sick, especially people who are particularly allergic to it. In addition to allergies, mold may cause infections or create toxins which are dangerous. However, infections and toxic incidents are rare, and do not constitute a health threat for people in a regular home, school or office setting.
If mold has surfaced in your home, you can take action to contain it. Mold requires moisture to grow, and therefore the best way to control it is to eliminate moisture problems. This may involve finding and eliminating leaks, or installing appropriate ventilation systems in bathrooms. Unless the source of the moisture is addressed, the mold will continue to grow.
For more information, see the Environmental Protection Agency's Mold Website, and specifically check out the "Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home."
Halloween
Parents should feed children before trick or treating to make it easier for them to not eat Halloween treats until these have inspected. Candy or food treats which are old, discolored, out of the proper wrapper, or tampered with need to be discarded. (If you truly suspect that something your child has received has been deliberately contaminated, contact the police.) Parents should also be aware of food allergies that children might have. Glowsticks, discussed above, are also a concern during the Halloween holiday.
Care should be taken to avoid danger with Halloween costumes and decorations as well. For face paint, be sure to choose something non-toxic and avoid the eye area. Costumes should be nonflammable and warm, and masks should not impair a child's vision.
The most important safety precaution for Halloween is to make sure that children are accompanied and supervised at all times.
Download the Center's Halloween Safety Fact Sheet.
Additional Resources