The three health hazards that may be hiding in your Christmas decorations

02 December 2023 , 14:50

1143     0

Mould, damp, and pests could be lurking among your Christmas decorations (Image: Getty Images)

For many, decorating our homes for Christmas is a way to usher in the festive season - but there are some hidden nasties that could dampen your festive spirit.

The very tradition of stringing up lights, putting up stockings, and dressing the Christmas tree can be fun for all the family. But in our haste to put up decorations, we risk forgetting about the very real health dangers that may be lurking among the tinsel and baubles.

John Harvey, managing director of cleaning company Hashtag Clean, explains: "Although we do spend a lot of time cleaning our homes ahead of the festive season, quite often the condition of our Christmas decorations are an afterthought, so it could be years between cleaning."

Cleaning your decorations thoroughly before and after use will prevent dust and mould from developing (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

So spare a thought when digging out your festive baubles and tinsels. And to make sure everyone stays healthy this Christmas, here are some of the main health hazards to be aware of.

Mould

Mould is a type of fungi that is caused by excess moisture and can therefore easily develop in the damp lofts and storage areas where many decorations are kept. It produces allergens (substance that can induce allergic reactions), irritants, and sometimes even toxic substances.

Surprising symptom that 40% of women suffer weeks before a heart attack

Harvey warns: "If not kept clean and stored correctly then decorations could become damp and dusty – potentially becoming a breeding ground for mould and mildew. Mould could cause a flare-up of any allergies or affect asthma sufferers, which in the worst cases could lead to respiratory issues.

And your Christmas trees aren't necessarily danger-free either. "Choosing artificial trees can be the best choice if there are allergies in the home as real trees could increase mould spores in the air, especially when it's cold and windows are mostly closed," Harvey says.

Artificial Christmas trees may be safer than real ones, as they don't release mould spores into the air (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Dust

Your decorations are likely to have gathered dust after 12 months of hibernation, and risk collecting more depending on where you install them. Sarah Dempsey, resident cleaning expert at MyJobQuote says: "Decorations obviously attract dust and dirt from the air and from handling.

"The ornaments on your tree are most likely to get dust and pet hair on them, as these float in the air and stick to any surface. If you have Christmas decorations in your kitchen, then they will pick up grease particles from the air. Dust then sticks to the grease, making them even trickier to clean."

The dust isn't just mildly annoying to clean but can have serious health consequences. She continued: "Dust consists of minute particles of debris and dead skin cells.

"These particles are small enough to be inhaled and can trigger a reaction from your immune system. Depending on the individual, this reaction may be major or minor.

"One of the most common reactions to dust is sneezing, but it can also cause coughing and eye irritation, and may trigger an asthma attack in those who suffer from asthma. Long-term exposure to dust can be harmful, especially for people with existing health conditions such as heart disease or emphysema."

Decorations that haven't seen the light of day in some time risk gathering excess dust, which can trigger irritation as well as more serious respiratory problems (Getty Images)

Pests

Christmas is a time of welcoming guests - but some visitors are more troublesome than others.

Dempsey says: "Real Christmas trees and wreaths will undoubtedly contain bugs and insects. The majority of these pests don't pose a danger to you or your family's health and many will die within a few days of being in a warm habitat.

"But other pests risk causing problems. Once Christmas is over and you're ready to stash away decorations for another year, be careful about how you store them.

Rita Ora draws attention as she shows off huge new tattoo across her ribcage

"Put them in strong plastic containers with lids and not cardboard boxes. Cardboard is the perfect nesting material for mice and rats who will gnaw through them. Rats urinate and spread diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella."

Mizy Judah Clifton