When we were putting up our Christmas tree last weekend, E remembered hearing something about Christmas lights being dangerous to pregnant women, so she did a quick Google search.Good thing she did.
It turns out that lead is used in the wiring of Christmas lights. CNN ran a piece on this topic this morning (click here to read it).
From the CNN piece: "Manufacturers do not hide the fact that lead is part of the PVC insulation that insulates Christmas light wiring. Lead is used legally to stabilize polyvinyl chloride so it does not crack or crumble with age. The lead also acts as a fire retardant."
What is surprising is that manufacturers don't just use a little bit of lead - they use enough to be dangerous to children (and by extension, I would assume, pregnant women).
Needless to say, I strung all the lights myself.
There are dangers I never considered that are lurking out there. Looks like I need to do more reading and research.
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