Holiday Plants

TOM: Before you deck the halls, be aware of the dangers posed by favorite holiday plants. Hi, I’m Tom Kraeutler. LESLIE: And I’m Leslie Segrete with today’s Money Pit Home Improvement Minute. TOM: Some plants that look festive can be…

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TOM: Before you deck the halls, be aware of the dangers posed by favorite holiday plants. Hi, I’m Tom Kraeutler.

LESLIE: And I’m Leslie Segrete with today’s Money Pit Home Improvement Minute.

TOM: Some plants that look festive can be hazardous to people and pets and they should be kept out of reach. For example, ingesting just a few holly berries can trigger illness, and eating 20 can lead to death.

LESLIE: Now, your pets might be tempted by the toxic bulbs and leaves of amaryllis and paper whites, and the fruit of the Jerusalem cherry is also poisonous to both animals and humans.

TOM: Another holiday hazard is the Brazilian pepper. Its shiny leaves and bright red berries may seem made for holiday decorating, but just touching or being near the plant causes skin and breathing reactions.

LESLIE: Lastly, be careful where and how you display mistletoe. The berries are toxic, so you want to take steps to keep them from falling into the path of your kids and pets. I’m Leslie Segrete.

TOM: And I’m Tom Kraeutler. For more Money Pit home improvement tips, visit moneypit.com.