A Christmas Caution

Holiday Season Calls for Special Precautions to Prevent Poisonings

(Alexandria, VA): The holiday season requires special precautions to prevent poisonings, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).

AAPCC Board Member Edward Krenzelok, PharmD, director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center and Drug Information Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and professor of pharmacy and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, offers the following safety tips.

• Children are at greatest risk for alcohol poisoning during the holidays. Do not leave beverage glasses where children can easily reach them. A child’s natural desire to imitate partying grown-ups requires special vigilance on the part of drinking adults.

• Never leave gifts of perfume or cologne, which also contain alcohol, under the Christmas tree where a curious child might find them.

• Keep hot foods hot at 140 degrees or above and cold foods below 40 degrees to reduce the likelihood of food poisoning,

• Wash your hands before and after food preparation to prevent the spread of food-borne illness. Washing is especially important before and after handling raw meat.

• While most holiday plants are relatively safe, always keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

• Cherished old family ornaments may be decorated with paint that contains lead. Store them away if the ornaments are peeling or in poor condition and children or pets live with you.

• If you have holiday visitors or are visiting another residence, make sure that all medications and other potential poisons, such as household cleaning products, are out of the reach of children.

If you have questions about poisons or if you think that someone (a child, adult or pet) may have been exposed to something poisonous, call 1-800-222-1222 immediately. America’s poison control centers are staffed by specialists who are available to assist you 24 hours per day, seven days a week -- even on your favorite holiday.

“Poisonings never take a holiday and neither do we,” explains Dr. Krenzelok.

AAPCC is a nonprofit association representing America's 61 Poison Control Centers (PCC), their staff and affiliated toxicologists.

For more information on poisoning prevention visit the AAPCC’s website at http://www.aapcc.org.