Poison Control Center helps protect lives

The tree is up, the presents are wrapped, and the cookies are baked.

However, you may not have thought of some surprising dangers that are probably lurking in your home.

The Tennessee Poison Control Center, a United Way of Bedford County member agency, is taking time to raise awareness of toxins and urge parents to be extra alert during this holiday season.

Poisonous plants, holiday decorations, and unsafe toys are just a few of the potential hazards children face during the holidays, according to a press release.

Recent recalls in a number of popular toys, containing lead, have raised questions from wary parents.

"The risk of lead toxicity is considered very low, occurring through chronic or excessive exposure to lead," said Michelle Grant, a poison specialist with the TPCC.

While lead poisoning does pose big problems, the largest ongoing safety issue with toys is choking hazards.

"The No. 1 safety concern still remains choking," Grant said. "Toys should be chosen based on the recommended age of the child, which should be labeled on the package."

Parents are strongly encouraged to take extra precautions with their children around Christmas decor.

Plants such as mistletoe and holly berry, if consumed, can be deadly to children and pets as well.

Mistletoe berries, and to a lesser extent the leaves and stem, contain poisonous substances that slow the heart, according to a press release.

Holly berries also pose health risks. They contain ilex acid which can irritate the stomach. Usually it takes a child swallowing several holly berries before any serious problems develop.

While poinsettias are non-toxic, they do pose a choking hazard.

Christmas lights, artificial snow, and glass ornaments also present dangers to curious children and each are choking hazards.

Nationwide, poisoning is actually the third leading cause of death in children under 6 years old.

It is also a huge public health issue that is not usually recognized.

The Tennessee Poison Control Center provides a medical hotline for poison emergency and information calls, poison prevention education, and 24-hour chemical and biological surveillance, according to the center.

The center was established in 1988 started out initially as a program of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Tennessee Poison Control Center serves 6 million residents in all 95 counties, according to the official site.

Cases of unintentional drug overdose and suicide attempts are more likely to occur in adolescents and young adults, and the elderly are at risk for poisonings due to situations such as mixing medications or taking the wrong dosage, according to the official site.

There are also new concerns about biological and chemical terrorist acts that have elevated poisoning to a national security issue of public health importance, according to the center.

In the event of a chemical or biological disaster, residents are able to call the Poison Center for antidote and decontamination information, said the center.

Medical professionals, such as registered nurses and physicians, and pharmacists are available to answer all calls 24 hours a day.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

The Tennessee Poison Control Center provides a free 24-hour Poison Help hotline for poison emergency and information calls: (800) 222-1222. It also provides poison prevention education. For more information, call (615) 936-0760 or go to tnpoisoncenter.org. For more information about United Way of Bedford County, call 684-6685 or go to unitedwaybedford.org.