DANGER . . . do you have this plant in your house?

A Kara parent has forwarded the below information regarding the plant shown – commonly known as dumb cane - following reports that it is highly poisonous.

"This plant that we often find in our homes and offices is extremely dangerous.  PLEASE BEWARE.  

Common in Rwanda and also found locally in India, it is a deadly poison, especially for young children as it can kill a child in less than a minute and an adult in 15 minutes. 

It needs be uprooted from gardens and taken out of offices. If touched, one should never touch one’s eyes; it can cause partial or permanent blindness. Please alert all your fellow parents, friends and more . . . ."

See this site for further details:

http://www.botanical-online.com/alcaloidesdiefenbaquiaangles.htm

We all need to watch out for each other's children as part of a larger community, so let's work together to ensure they have a safe environment in which to live and play.