HWN Suggests

Holiday Poisonings

Fortunately, most holiday toxicities are relatively nonthreatening. Holiday-related toxic ingestions primarily occur in children, and most are asymptomatic, innocuous, and treated with symptomatic care as necessary. The most poisonous holiday-related toxins are bittersweet and Jerusalem cherry. Work-ups for holiday-plant ingestions are usually limited to severe gastroenteritis, which may require IV fluids and evaluation of electrolytes.

Holiday decorations, such as artificial snow and angel hair, present hazards that should be treated on a case-by-case basis. Finally, alcohol intoxication should be considered in the differential diagnosis for pediatric patients presenting with altered…

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Aside from holiday decorations, holiday parties also hold the potential for poisonings. "Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and cigarette butts should be kept out of the reach of children," Banach said. "Often during the holidays, children awake before their parents and a half-filled glass of liquor left out from a holiday gathering can be an invitation to danger for children.