The Dangers of Christmas Decorations

Holiday decorations are a source of joy that only adds to the spirit and happiness to the holiday season, but they also can pose unnecessary health and safety risks during this special time of year.

The Top 9 Christmas Decoration Dangers:

1. Christmas Tree Fires - Every year, Christmas trees are implicated in an average of 240 home fires, including a related 13 deaths, 27 injuries and $16.7 million in property damage. Natural trees are more likely to catch fire than artificial trees. This is especially true if they dry out, rather than being kept moist.

In most cases, electrical failures or malfunctions cause the tree to start on fire, although heat sources too close to the tree, decorative lights and candles may also play a role.

2. Holiday Light Fires - Each year, about 150 home fires occur due to holiday lights, resulting in an average of 8 deaths, 14 injuries and $8.5 million in property damages. Usually fire is the result of electrical failures or malfunctions with the lights.

Prior to putting up your lights, it is important to check all of your wires and connections for any damage.

3. Falls - Falls while holiday decorating send about 5,800 people to emergency rooms every year. Most often, injuries result from falling off a ladder (such as while hanging Christmas lights and other outdoor decorations), followed by falling off a roof. Less often, falls from furniture or caused by tripping on tree skirts or other decorations are also reported.

Be careful on ladders. It is important to have someone hold the ladder to steady it and wear proper footwear.

4. Spray-On Snow - Simply shake up the can and spray to add a frosty look to just about any surface … the problem is, many of the sprays contain a slew of toxic chemicals, including acetone and methylene chloride, which you can inhale while spraying the snow (and before it dries). Nausea, headache and lightheadedness are common symptoms that can result if you inhale spray-on snow, particularly if you’re working on your craft in a small or poorly ventilated room. In the long-term, the chemical exposure may be much more serious, as methylene chloride is a probable carcinogen.

Make sure to have proper ventilation when using any spray-on-snow.

5. Christmas Lights Containing Lead - Lights often tainted with toxins, including lead. In fact, in California, Christmas lights must carry a warning label stating that they contain chemicals that may be carcinogenic and cause birth defects. Researchers have found that four out of five holiday lights tested contain lead, 28% of which contained lead at such high levels they would be illegal to sell in Europe. Both the wiring insulation and bulb bases often contained the toxic metal.

Lead-free lights are available. Since there’s a good chance your holiday lights may contain lead, wear gloves and then wash your hands whenever you handle them. The lights’ lead-containing casing is typically made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). One of the main problems with PVC is that it contains phthalates, or “plasticizers,” which are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to a wide range of developmental and reproductive “gender-bending” effects that are particularly dangerous to infants and children.

6. Candles - The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas day and New Year’s Day. December is also a particularly “busy” month for candle fires, which often start because combustible seasonal decorations are kept too close to the flame.

Candles also can release hundreds of chemicals, including cancer-causing benzene, into your home’s air every time you burn them. This is particularly true of scented candles, as the fragrance oils often contain phthalates, which have been linked to numerous hormonal disruptions, breast cancer, early or delayed puberty and more. This is true not only of scented candles, but also of other holiday fragrances, such as air fresheners and potpourri. Bees wax candles with natural oils are much safer.

7. Tinsel and Other Choking Hazards - Holiday decorations, with all their shine and glitter, are especially tempting to infants, who can quickly choke on items like tinsel, small ornaments, tiny pinecones and pieces from nativity scenes. Be sure to keep all such hazards well out of the reach of children; this includes popular holiday food items like nuts and hard candies.

8. Sugar/Fructose in Candy Canes and Other Holiday Treats - Candy canes and other sweets are a traditional part of the holiday season, but the sugar and/or fructose can contribute not only to obesity and diabetes, but other chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer.

9. Mistletoe and Holly - Poinsettias are often regarded as the most poisonous holiday plant, but contrary to popular belief these plants are actually not toxic to people. Mistletoe, on the other hand, is poisonous. Eating any part of the mistletoe plant, but particularly the berries and leaves, can lead to gastrointestinal upset, while some varieties contain toxins that can lead to blurred vision, blood pressure changes and even death. Holly is also poisonous, and consuming just 20 berries may be lethal to a child.

I wish you and your family have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season!

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