During this, the most exciting time of the year, we get really caught up and excited about all of the beautiful Christmas decorations.  Today's safety tip is in regards to those pretty things we do not often have around and how they can affect members of our beloved family...our children and particularly our pets.

There are many different things posing a threat to the safety of our pets.  One of the more common rumors is poinsettia.  As a result, I did a fair bit of research this morning to present to you.  Some of what I found is below and it is my hope that this can help keep your more helpless family members safe this year and in the years to come.

• Poinsettias ~  Although believed to be toxic, this plant is not actually so.  As the Tennessee Poison Control Center states, it can cause choking if the leaves are eaten, but there is no poison in this common holiday greenery.  In order to keep the risk of choking down, simply place your plant up at a height impossible for your pets and children to be tempted.
• The Jerusalem Cherry Plant~  Considered one of the more toxic plants, ingesting any part of this foliage can be severe causing slow heart beat and even a coma.  This is not a holiday memory that you will cherish.  As with most things, then, place the plant high enough as not to be eaten by children or pets. 
• Mistletoe ~  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) website is highly toxic to your pets.  Particularly the berries.  While it is fun to share a kiss under the mistletoe, performing mouth to mouth resuscitation on Fluffy the cat does not seem fun.  Or fair to Fluffy either.  So, please pay attention to the bunch of mistletoe, making sure to pick up berries and leaves which drop from the bundle.  And, enjoy that kiss!  *MWA*
• Snow Scenes ~  With fake snow, the chance of lung irritation can be quite high.  Although pretty to look at with it's magical sparkling quality...it is a risk not worth the ambiance it creates.  If you want to use snow in your Christmas decor, make certain that it is out of reach for children and pets.  Also, make sure to educate your children on the fact that no ~ it is not sugar, it is poison to their little lungs.  It always worked when my Mother told me that it was poison, and to date it has worked on my children as well.

It is my hope that these few tips will serve as safeguards for your beloved pets (and kidlets, too).  It would be a tragic Christmas, indeed, to loose your puppy, cat, hamster, snake, or Jonny over something so simple to prevent.  Take that moment in the hustle of the Christmas season, and protect all of those living creatures that you love!

I will be watching, reading, and writing...and petting my chubby Siamese kitty, Cocoa!