Poison Center Warns of Holiday Hazards

A spokeswoman for the Wyoming Poison Control Center reminds people that the holidays can bring an increase in the number of potential household health hazards, especially in homes with small children.

Joan McVoy says over half of the calls the center gets involve someone ingesting medications not prescribed for them, and she says a large percentage of those involve small children. McVoy says people should not assume that "child proof" containers will keep kids out, so it's important to never leave medications sitting out on nightstands or anywhere else within reach of small children.

McVoy says other holiday hazards for kids include tinsel, which can be harmful if swallowed. And she says some common holiday plants are toxic, including holly berries and mistletoe. But McVoy says poinsettias are not nearly as dangerous as once thought, although she says they can make cats sick.