Helpful holiday health tips given You’ve probably read dozens of holiday articles that give you the standard tips for surviving the festive season (e.g., don’t eat too much, get some exercise, etc.). This isn’t one of them. This is possibly the world’s first list of helpful holiday health tips. · What to do if a child or pet eats a poinsettia plant. One might wonder how this could happen. However, if you have pets or kids, you know a lot of strange things go on. The hoopla about poinsettias being poisonous started around 1920 when a Hawaiian child reportedly ate some leaves from the plant and died. This report was based on rumor and never confirmed. Research since then seems to indicate that about the most that could happen from getting “up close and personal” with poinsettias is some people might get a rash from the leaves, and children could get a mild tummy ache (rarely vomiting) if they ate the leaves. As with most houseplants, it’s probably best to keep your kids and pets from grazing on your poinsettias. But the word is, this isn’t a very toxic plant. If a child or a pet does chow down on this plant, it’s worth checking with Poison Control (but don’t get too excited about things). · What to do if someone is choking on a piece of candy cane. If─and only if─the person who’s choking can’t cough, talk, breathe, or is turning blue or dusky, then try the choking rescue procedure, i.e., the Heimlich Maneuver. It may help pop out that piece of candy cane. How can you prevent choking? Don’t drink too much before-dinner wine (or toddies) at parties. Alcohol can dull your senses, causing you to gulp down big pieces of food and choke. And don’t give popcorn, nuts, or hard candy to children younger than 3—they can’t chew these foods well enough to manage them safely. · What to do if the family get-together is driving you nuts. Isn’t it great to see your mom and brother-in-law? Sometimes family togetherness added to old, unresolved issues added to holiday tensions make the season feel like it’s something to be endured instead of enjoyed. Take a break—go for a walk or drive around and look at holiday lights. Maybe rent "Home Alone" or "Home for the Holidays" to see film families that will certainly make you appreciate your family. For health information of all kinds, check the Healthwise® Knowledgebase at www.thedialogcenter.com/bcbsnd and/or contact a Health Dialog Health Coach at 1-800-658-2750. -- Amanda Eickhoff, Coordinator of Wellness, Wellness Center, amandaeickhoff@mail.und.edu, 777-0210