10 Holiday Decorating Mistakes That Could Put Your Family in Danger

The plants you display are poisonous

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias probably aren’t toxic. One review in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine found that only about 3 percent of children who eat it will develop any symptoms, and even animals are unlikely to have any health effects. Your bigger concern should be holly. The berries look innocent enough to kids, but just five berries could lead to vomiting and abdominal cramping in children because they contain compounds called saponin. (Don’t miss these other 18 holiday decorating mistakes you didn’t know you were making.) Bittersweet and Jerusalem cherry fruits can also cause GI issues and might even be fatal to kids. “You can’t be too careful when displaying flowers and plants of any kind, because they pose choking risks,” says child safety expert Debra Holtzman, author of The Safe Baby. “Watch out for fallen berries.” Here are 8 more festive Christmas flowers to give if you’re tired of poinsettias.

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