Safety Expert Warns About Chocolate Bunnies

Can Easter Holiday Traditions Harm or Kill Children and Pets??? 
 
Hollywood, FL  33021 - March 28 2006 

 

Debra Holtzman, J.D., M.A. 
 
Easter Celebrations are supposed to be enjoyable. We prepare delicious food, arrange fun activities and gather together with our family and friends.

 

"But with all the joys of the Easter Holiday comes potential safety hazards which can result in injury and even death," warns Debra Holtzman, J.D, M.A, an internationally recognized safety and health expert and author of the new book, The Safe Baby: A Do-it-yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2005.)
Debra Holtzman suggests following these simple tips to keep your family and pets safe this Easter.

 

1. Easter Lily: All parts of the lily plant are considered toxic to cats and consuming even small amounts can cause severe poisoning. Cat owners should be aware of the dangers of lily ingestion and remove them from their cat's access.

 

2. Chocolate Bunnies: Pet owners beware! Chocolate is toxic, and sometimes even fatal, for animals! Watch out for Eggs hidden around the house, or chocolate kept in a child's room

 

3. Hard candy: A child under age six should never be served hard, round candy. Popcorn and nuts are also a choking hazard.
Holtzman also recommends that you ask guests beforehand if they or their children are allergic to any food.

 

4. Baby Chicks: If you are thinking of adding an adorable Easter chick or duckling to go along with your child's Easter basket, think again! Federal health officials warn that baby chicks sold to children during the Easter season may harbor Salmonella bacteria. In fact, the CDC has reported that the risk posed by chicks and ducklings may be the highest for children, since Salmonella infections in children may be more severe.

 

5. EGGS. Hard-cooked eggs should be cooked thoroughly. Make sure to refrigerate eggs within 2 hours of cooking and use them within a week. To dye hard-cooked eggs, use a food-safe coloring and place them in the refrigerator within 2 hours. Hard-cooked eggs for an egg hunt must be prepared with care to prevent cracking the shells. If the shells crack, bacteria could contaminate the inside. Eggs should be hidden in places that are protected from dirt, pets, and other sources of bacteria. The total time for hiding and hunting eggs should not be longer than 2 hours. The "found" eggs must be re-refrigerated until eaten. If the Easter egg hunt will take longer than 2 hours, hide plastic eggs.

 

6. Cookie dough: If you have raw eggs in the cookie dough batter, eat your homemade cookies cooked! Raw eggs can be contaminated with salmonella, a food-borne illness that can prove fatal if untreated.

 

7. Pies: all custard-type pies need to be refrigerated. Pies at room temperature can grow dangerous bacteria.

 

8. Perishable foods: Never leave perishable food at room temperature over two hours. Perishable foods include raw and cooked meat, poultry and seafood products. Once fruits and vegetables are cut, it is safest to also limit their time at room temperature. If perishable food is left at room temperature for over two hours, bacteria can grow to harmful levels.

 

9. Alcohol: Alcohol affects children more drastically than adults, so even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous to children. It causes a quick drop in blood sugar, drowsiness, seizures and even death. Spiked punch should be kept out of the reach of children. Remove all empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible. Store alcohol in a locked cabinet out of reach and sight of children. Don't store it in your refrigerator where a child could have easy access. Remember that children imitate adults, and may drink the beverages they see adults drinking.

 

10. Cribs: Children might be using an outdated or recalled crib, particularly when visiting someone who must borrow one or has picked up a crib at a yard sale. Call the CPSC at (800) 638-2772 or visit their website www.cpsc.gov to check if products have been recalled.
A quick note on crib slats: the slat space should be no more than 2 and three-eighths inches apart. A good rule of thumb: if you can pass a soda can between the slats, they're too far apart.

 

Debra Holtzman is an internationally recognized safety and health expert and award winning author. She has nearly two decades of experience in the safety and health fields. Debra is the safety expert on the Discovery Health Channel. The Safe Baby: A Do-it-yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2005) is in bookstores everywhere.

 

Interviews may be arranged via: E-mail: safebook@aol.com
Telephone: 954-963-7702
http://thesafetyexpert.com 

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