Poinsettias are NOT toxic. NO, I repeat, NO deaths have ever been reported due to a person eating a poinsettia. The rumor that poinsettias are poisonous stems from a single report of the death of a child in Hawaii in the early twentieth century that was mistakenly attributed to the child’s consumption of a poinsettia leaf. A benchmark study conducted by Ohio State University, with the cooperation of the Society of American Florists, indicated that the American poinsettia presented no toxicity at levels far higher than those likely to occur in a household incident. Every part of the plant was … Continue reading →

Hanging a holly wreath on the front door to welcome guests… Smelling the fresh evergreen scent as you walk by the tree… Stealing a kiss underneath the mistletoe… What do all these holiday images have in common? Poison. Yes, poison. Some or all parts of these plants are toxic to people, pets, or both. Many are also choking hazards. Holly Who doesn’t love the festive look of holly with its distinctively shaped glossy, dark green leaves and bright red berries? Me, actually – those leaves are sharp! Far more importantly, the berries of the holly (ilex spp.) bush are genuinely … Continue reading →

In a March 2005 nationwide survey by Greenfield Online 60% of adults admitted that they don’t know how to determine the proper fit of a bicycle helmet. Here a few tips to help keep you and your family out of that majority. 1. Be Label-Conscious – Make sure the helmet you intend to purchase is approved by one of the following organizations: the American Society of Testing and Material (ASTM), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Snell Memorial Foundation (SNELL) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). There are minor differences in the standards utilized by each group, but any … Continue reading →