Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: December 15, 2006

Poison Prevention Tips for the Holidays

As the holidays approach, and you look forward to enjoying parties, decorations, and gifts, remember that holiday festivities and winter weather also bring an increased risk for poisoning. These are some steps you can take to prevent poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

CO is a poisonous gas that comes from burning fuel. To prevent CO poisoning:

• Have a professional technician check your furnace every year.
• Make sure the technician checks your chimneys for proper airflow.
• Do not use an oven or gas range for home heating, and do not bring grills indoors for cooking.
• Do not leave a fire burning in the fireplace or run a space heater while you are sleeping.
• Install a CO detector in your home and check the batteries at least every six months.

Plants and Decorations

Holiday decorations present a source of hazards for children. Children may be drawn to eat certain colorful holiday plants, or to put other colorful decorative items in their mouths. Prevention tips include:

• Keep ornamental plants such as Holly, Mistletoe, and Jerusalem Cherry out of the reach of children. They can be poisonous if swallowed.
• Christmas Cactus and Poinsettia are not poisonous when eaten. However, eating many leaves of these plants may cause mild stomach upset. In addition, the sap of the Poinsettia plant may cause a skin rash, and should be washed off with mild soap and warm water.
• Lead can be found in holiday lights and plastic decorations. To avoid lead exposure, do not allow children to put these items in their mouths, and wash their hands often.

Medication

The winter season is often a time when more medications, such as cough remedies and antibiotics, are used in the home. Visitors may also unintentionally leave potentially toxic personal care products or medications out. Some simple steps you can take to prevent medication poisoning are:

• Do not leave medicine in an area easily accessible to children.
• Do not mix medicines, exceed dosages, or use other people's medicines.
• Read your medication labels and be aware of any warnings about possible side effects (e.g., drowsiness) and alcohol consumption while taking prescription or over-the-counter medications.

For more information about poison prevention tips please visit the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention webpage or click on the link at http://www.maripoisoncenter.com

If you suspect someone has been poisoned, call the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention at 1-800-222-1222.