Many people are unaware that the holidays can bring some potential health hazards. Parties and gatherings can be whirlwinds of parties and gatherings. Especially for kids and pets, some plants, ornaments, and even baking ingredients can be potential health hazards if not handled correctly.
Bruce Ruck, Pharm.D., managing director of Rutgers’ New Jersey Poison Control Center, says many travels this time of year. “It’s easy to overlook dangers relating to pets and kids.” Other potential issues aren’t as evident as checking your smoke detectors and unplugging your tree lights at night. While celebrating the holidays, keep these health hazards in mind.
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Estimating The Doneness Of Meat
Ellen Shumaker, Ph.D., director of the Safe Plates program, said cooks tend to guesstimate whether roasts, turkeys, and other meats are done, but that can be dangerous. Therefore, she recommends using a food thermometer. She said, “It’s the only way to ensure a portion of food is cooked thoroughly enough to kill harmful bacteria.”
Avoiding Poinsettias And Other Poisonous Plants
Plants such as poinsettias, poisonous to pets, shouldn’t be kept tucked away. Children may also be at risk from them. Jamie Alan, Ph.D., associate professor, says the danger of ingesting plants depends on how much they are consumed. She advised, “In the case of children, call poison control. I urge you to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for pets.”
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Ignoring Prescription Medications
People who visit relatives are probably not concerned about leaving their prescription medications out, but if they get into the wrong hands, this can pose a potential danger. Guests should be able to safely store their medicines, edibles, vaping, nicotine products, and hand sanitizers.
Having Antique Ornaments On The Lower Shelves
Ruck points out that antique ornaments and those from other countries do not have to adhere to the same standards as modern decorations. In addition, they may contain harmful lead paint, which could cause health problems if licked or swallowed. He suggests placing them high, out of reach of children and pets.