Experts Answer "What If" Questions

What if my child licks a cold metal post during winter?

If your child took a triple-dog dare to lick a flagpole, like in the movie A Christmas Story, the spit on his tongue would crystallize and adhere to the metal post, and he'd be stuck there, Dr. Knazik says. If this happens, pour warm water onto his tongue and the pole to melt the ice. Don't let him pull away. He could rip off the top layers of tissue, causing severe bleeding and muscle damage.