Harrison Wade Research Paper

In 2010, a toddler named Harrison Wade was rushed to the hospital during the holidays as he gasped for air and vomited blood. Doctors then took pictures of Harrison’s throat that showed how he had managed to pull an ornament off the family Christmas tree and swallow its metal top. Fortunately, the sharp piece had jagged edges that caught in his throat and prevented the piece from getting into his stomach and causing internal bleeding. The Wade family has been using this event to educate relatives, friends, and the public about the choking hazards ornaments can present to young children (Chinn, Valerie).
One may question the Wade family’s decision to hang metal ornaments with a youngster in the house, but the tradition of using metal to decorate for the holidays actually dates back to the 19th century, when poor American settlers would poke holes in tin cans to create ornaments and lanterns (“The Christmas Archives”). This traditional decoration has evolved through the years to produce today’s wide variety of metal ornaments, just like the one Harrison Wade pulled off the tree. This story is …show more content…
Replacing hooks with holiday-themed ribbons can increase the color, creativity, and safety of a Christmas tree (“Christmas Tree”). While removing the hooks, all sharp-edged ornaments such as picture frames and snowflakes should also be taken off of the tree. Even if these ornaments are hung out of reach, they can drop onto the hands, feet, or head of an unsuspecting child. Speaking of dropping, Christmas trees have sharp needles that tend to fall and become embedded in the carpet or tree skirt below. Vacuuming frequently will protect young hands and mouths from being stuck with needles that are picked up or swallowed (“Christmas Tree”). Just as young children will put sharp needles in their mouths out of innocent curiosity, they will also grab electrical lights for that very same