Tips for a happy and safe Valentine's Day
The bottom line
Most of us are thinking about love, chocolates and flowers on Valentine's Day, not about poison. Let's also keep the day poison-free by following a few quick tips from poison experts. Enjoy those treats!
This Really Happened
Case 1: Four children, ages 6-9, ate some of the flower food provided with a Valentine's Day floral arrangement. They all thought it was sugar. Their mom called their poison center. She was advised to give them all something to drink, which she did, and they were all fine.
Case 2: A 7-year-old boy thought stems cut from a Valentine's Day Calla Lily flower bouquet were celery and ate some. He immediately cried in pain due to the sharp oxalate crystals from the plant being released into his mouth. His mom gave him something to drink and called their poison center. She was advised to give him a cool, creamy snack. In a follow-up call from the poison center to the home, the child's dad reported that in less than 2 hours he was fine.
Case 3: The mom of a 4-year-old girl called her poison center, concerned that the child had eaten Valentine's Day chocolate that contained per the label, "chocolate liquor." The poison center reassured her that this does not mean the candy contains alcohol, only cocoa solids in liquid form, and that her little girl would be fine.
The full story
Roses and baby's breath aren't poisonous to eat, but might cause a rash so wash your hands after arranging them.
Flower food isn't poisonous, but can cause stomach upset if swallowed.
Chocolate can make pets vomit, have seizures, or worse.
Questions? Ue the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.