Staying safe this festive season

"For children in particular, there is temptation all around in the form of brightly coloured decorations, presents, bright berries and, of course, the Christmas tree," they advise. "The abundance of party drinks around the home also increases the risk of alcohol poisoning in young children and we recommend that all children showing signs of alcohol intoxication should be assessed in a hospital emergency department." Trees are a source of fascination for young children and while they are not considered harmful, the pine-needles can cause choking. In addition, there may be tummy upset if the needles are ingested. They are irritating to skin, and handling the branches can cause dermatitis. Christmas decorations are non-toxic but plastic decorations may cause bowel or airway obstruction if consumed. If children appear to be having trouble breathing after eating or playing with decorations, they should be medically assessed as soon as possible. Expanded polystyrene is a packaging material for gifts. It is non-toxic when eaten but could cause obstruction if taken by a small child. Again, the advice is to seek medical attention if the child appears to be in any distress. Desiccant sachets are often found in new shoes, handbags, and leather goods. These sachets usually contain silica gel. The sachets are often labelled 'Do not eat' but silica gel is non-toxic and symptoms are not expected. Artificial Christmas snow often contains a chemical called methylene chloride. If eaten, this can cause burning and blistering of the lips, mouth and skin. There may also be vomiting, dizziness, confusion and more severe symptoms. As with all corrosive products, do not induce vomiting. If the person is well and is not complaining of any pain in the chest or abdomen, you can give them a small glass of water to sip. Do not give large amounts of fluids to drink. If they are vomiting or if they appear to be unwell, do not give any drinks and bring them to hospital immediately. Wash the skin around the mouth with plenty of soap and water. The ingestion of 'button' batteries is a potential problem all year round but particularly so at this time of year when new presents are being investigated. Symptoms can develop from obstruction or from batteries that leak after they are swallowed. For many people, the battery will enter the stomach and be passed without difficulty within two to seven days. In some cases, however, the battery may become trapped somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. It can then cause local damage. Essential oils are often used to add a festive fragrance to the house at this time of year but they can be highly toxic if they are swallowed. Even small amounts of a concentrated essential oil can cause serious symptoms in small children so caution is urged when using and storing them. Skin contact can cause irritation and a burning sensation, so the area should be washed with water as soon as possible. Seek medical advice if any essential oils or pot-pourri oils are swallowed.