(Credit: Shutterstock)
The holiday season contains many traditions and plants play a very prominent role in many seasonal customs. Indeed, for many this festive time of the year would not be complete without having the likes of evergreens, holly, mistletoe, and other traditional plants adorning their homes. It is important, however, to exercise proper caution in the use of certain of these plants since we want the holidays to be happy and safe for everyone. The best way to have a worry-free holiday season, is to understand the risks involved when plants are used and act to prevent them.
The use of evergreens (greenery) and other plants in Christmas decorations can be traced to pagan practices of the pre-Christian era associated with the winter solstice, or yule. Typically, this festival was celebrated on December 22nd. In days of old, however, these evergreens were rarely brought into the home before Christmas eve and to do otherwise was considered bad luck for the coming year. This meant that the greenery and other plant materials used still were fresh for Christmas Day and posed much less of a fire hazard. This was a definite "must" when one considers the primary source of illumination during that era was via the use of candles.
The use of evergreens indoors at the winter solstice can be traced back to pre-Christian cultures who considered them symbols of rebirth.(Credit: Pixabay)
Today, the holiday season starts with Thanksgiving and lasts through New Year's Day. Greenery and other cut plant material brought into the home at the beginning of the season is likely to get very dry by the time New Year's Day arrives and could pose a fire hazard.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, holiday decorations and Christmas trees account for almost 200 structural fires every year. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are much more likely to be deadly than most other fires. On average, one of every 34 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home fires.
Proper care will not only make greenery safer indoor decoration but will add to its attractiveness. Evergreen needles turn brown and holly leaves blacken as they age. Therefore, it is important to start with greenery as fresh as possible. While relatively fresh greenery might be available from a local retail outlet, the very freshest is that which is gathered from one's own landscape and this should be done whenever possible.
If the latter is unavailable, purchase greens just as soon as they become available. You can check for freshness by doing the "pull test." Gently pull on a shoot with your thumb and fingers; if the tree (or cut greenery) is fresh, you should not have any needles come off in your hand. After purchasing, re-cut the stems and place the cut ends of the greenery in buckets or tubs of water. Keep the plant material in the coolest place possible until it is time to move it indoors. Freezing temperatures will not harm the greenery, but unfrozen water should be available to the stems at all times during storage.
When purchasing cut evergreen material, the "pull test" can be used to determine freshness. (Credit: Michigan State University)
To promote safety and prolong the useful life of holiday greenery indoors it is best to keep the stems in water if at all possible. Decorations should be designed so that branches fit into a container that holds water. Floral preservatives such as those used for cut flowers can be added to extend further the life of the greenery. Changing the water on a weekly basis is a good idea since water can become foul if allowed to sit. The foul smell comes from bacteria and other microorganisms present which will block vascular tissue and retard the ability of the greenery to uptake water.
Additionally, never place decorations containing greenery near sources of heat such as hot air ducts, radiators or appliances that produce heat. Avoid locating decorations containing greenery near fireplaces where sparks from an open flame might ignite them. Statistics reveal that in 26% of Christmas tree fires, some type of heat source, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree. Additionally, 18% percent of home Christmas tree fires involved decorative lights. Wiring or related electrical equipment was involved in 15% of the fires.
Although candles were used to illuminate Christmas trees centuries ago, their use today is strongly discouraged because of the fire hazard involved. (Credit: Shutterstock)
Another aspect of safety in the use of plant material for holiday decoration involves knowing which traditional plants contain toxic compounds that might represent a health risk, especially if children are present. For example, the fruit (red berries) of holly (Ilex aquifolium) contain a toxic compound called illicin which is considered mildly poisonous. Symptoms of accidental ingestion include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These bright berries are quite appealing to young children who tend to explore their world through the sense of taste as well as sight. Therefore, special care should be taken if holly is used in seasonal decorations in households with small children present. Keep the holly well out of the reach of youngsters and make sure that any berries that might accidently fall from the decoration cannot fall to the floor and be retrieved by a curious child.
European mistletoe (Viscum album) is another holiday plant that must be used with great care. Its leaves and white fruits (berries) contain a proteinaceous compounds called viscotoxins which are quite toxic. If live mistletoe is used for holiday decoration, American mistletoe (Phorodendron leucarpum) represents a safer choice because of it contain less toxic phoratoxins rather than viscotoxins. Still, American mistletoe should be kept it well out of the reach of children.
Plants associated with holiday decorations such as holly, ivy and mistletoe contain toxic compounds and must be used with proper caution. (Credit: Shutterstock)
Additionally, the leaves, bark, and seeds of yew (Taxus baccata and T. cuspidata) contain alkaloids known as taxines which are toxic. Yew produces a small red fruit which might be attractive to children. While the pulp of the fruit is harmless, the seeds, if chewed, release taxine, which can be rather toxic.
Other examples of plants frequently associated with the holiday season that are known to produce toxic substances include English ivy (Hedera helix) whose leaves contain a toxic compound known as saponin. Juniper (Juniperus communis and J. sabina) produces slight amounts of the diuretic compound terpineol in its seeds. Additionally, white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) leaves produce an essential oil similar in nature to thujone which is the toxic compound produced by wormwood (Artemesia absinthium). Poisonings from this latter group of plants are extremely rare due to the relatively low levels of the toxic agents contained by these plants.
All of the above is not meant to cause readers to utter "bah, humbug" when it comes to decorating for the holiday season, or to purchase artificial plant material. People have been using "real" plant material as part of their indoor decoration at this time of the year for centuries and, hopefully, will continue to do so for many years to come. This article simply serves as a reminder that "prevention is the best cure" when it comes to any sort of unfortunate mishap and education is key to prevention. Happy holidays!