Aussie mum’s desperate warning after toddler’s terrifying discovery in their Christmas tree almost ended his life

A toddler is lucky to be alive after he was bitten by a deadly spider that lurked in the family Christmas tree.

Sydney mum Emma Sheil was cooking last month when she saw her two-year-old son Tommy in the living room with a funnel-web spider in his hand.

She initially thought it was a toy, but then heard the toddler let out a horrifying scream before his condition quickly deteriorated with vomiting and seizures.

Tommy was rushed to hospital, where he stopped breathing and was put into an induced coma.

Picton’s mother has opened up about the harrowing ordeal to warn other Aussies to be more vigilant about the deadly danger lurking in their home.

She believed the spider was in the plastic Christmas tree they had taken from the garage the day before.

“Tommy’s symptoms started almost immediately and escalated quickly,” Ms Sheil said.

She and her partner Ben rushed their son to hospital and brought the spider, which was trapped in a cup covered with a Christmas card, for identification.

Emma Sheil has told how she almost lost her son Tommy after he was bitten by a funnel web spider

They called Triple-0 10 minutes into the trip when Tommy’s condition worsened.

“Tommy started choking and became unresponsive in the car,” Ms. Sheil continued.

“The ambulance arrived quickly and we were rushed to Campbelltown Hospital where we had two hours of CPR.

‘Tommy had a breathing tube inserted, was put into an induced coma and was given both epilepsy medication and anti-venom.

“He was then transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital where he remained in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) for close monitoring.”

Fortunately, Tommy was well enough to go home three days later and has since made a full recovery.

Ms Sheil hopes Australians will learn from their ordeal and remain vigilant about funnel web spiders

Tommy innocently picked up the deadly arachnid from the floor of his house and was bitten

Funnel web spiders live in humid areas along the east coast of Australia and are especially active in the early summer months

“We urge everyone to take precautions, have your homes sprayed, check your children’s toys and shoes and look out for spiders, especially in this damp, wet weather,” Ms Sheil warned.

“We are so grateful that we acted quickly. It could have turned out very differently, and we’re counting our lucky stars.

“It’s definitely unlocked a new fear for us, but we’re so grateful that Tommy is okay and back to his sassy self.

“He’ll definitely get some Mortein and bubble wrap in his Christmas stocking.”

The terrifying ordeal has also prompted Tommy’s daycare to overhaul their indoor and outdoor checklists.

Teachers also talked to the children about spiders and what to do if they see one.

Early summer is considered peak season for funnel web spiders, which live in humid areas along the east coast of Australia and are especially active in the warmer months.

The spiders are known to hide in cool and damp areas, such as gardens and sheds.

Their bite is extremely venomous and can kill a person within 20 minutes.

If you are bitten, remain as calm and still as possible so that the venom does not move through the body, apply pressure to the bite, call Triple-0 and go to the nearest hospital immediately.