Just a reminder,,do you know,,,?

Question

,,,not to use tinsel on your tree if you have pets?Can be fatal if eaten.We dont use tinsel but the ordaments that we do use,,we put up high on the tree.Also pointsetta plants are poisonous to pets as are other plants. Happy Holidays to you & yours.

Answer 1

thats a nice message to get out..thanks!!!!

Answer 2

See??? Despite this ain't a Q? per se it's a piece of advise very helpful and informative on a sensitive matter: avoiding pet poisoning when using unadequate x-mas ornaments! This should be the goal of this space, not asking for celebrities' private phone numbers or seeking for effortless answers to homework.

Answer 3

Thanks. I think both pets and small children are better off when adults realize that every thing will end up in their pets and children's mouths. This is not just in regards to things that are left carelessly laying around. It can be any thing. Supervision is the key.

Answer 4

thank you for reminding me. i have a cat and i have four grandchildren living with me. even children try to eat these things. lol merry christmas.

Answer 5

I know about tinsel. I haven't used it for years. Thanks for telling others though.

Answer 6

I knew about tinsel, but not the plant. Excellent message. Many thanks.

Answer 7

yes this information is very important to know -- thanks especially because there may be some people who might get a pet for Christmas.

Answer 8

I am aware of that, but thank you for the reminder

Answer 9

Thank you for the insight!

Answer 10

Yes. Here are a few more safety tips to have a safe and Happy Holiday:

Holiday decorating & lighting
Use caution with holiday decorations and whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.
Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. Do not overload extension cords.
Don't mount lights in any way that can damage the cord's wire insulation (i.e., using clips, not nails).
Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving the house or going to bed.

Holiday entertaining
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet).
Test your smoke alarms, and let guests know what your fire escape plan is.



Trees
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant."
When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break.
When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
Make sure the base is steady so the tree won't tip over easily.



Lights
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.



Decorations
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children.
Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.



Fireplaces
Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten.
Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.


Toys and Ornaments
Purchase appropriate toys for the appropriate age. Some toys designed for older children might be dangerous for younger children.
Electric toys should be UL/FM approved.
Toys with sharp points, sharp edges, strings, cords, or parts small enough to be swallowed should not be given to small children.
Place older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint out of the reach of small children and pets.



Children and Pets

Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to humans and animals, so keep them well out-of-reach, or avoid having them.

Keep decorations at least 6 inches above the child’s reach.
Avoid using tinsel. It can fall on the floor and a curious child or pet may eat it. This can cause anything from mild distress to death.
Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches. A child could wrap a longer strand of ribbon around their neck and choke.
Avoid mittens with strings for children. The string can get tangled around the child’s neck and cause them to choke. It is easier to replace a mitten than a child.
Watch children and pets around space heaters or the fireplace. Do not leave a child or pet unattended.
Store scissors and any sharp objects that you use to wrap presents out of your child’s reach.
Inspect wrapped gifts for small decorations, such as candy canes, gingerbread men, or mistletoe berries, all of which are choking hazards.



Security
Use your home burglar alarm system.
If you plan to travel for the holidays don’t discuss your plans with strangers.
Have a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.