Keep kids safe this holiday season

Christmas safety tips

The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids but overexcitement, unsuitable gifts and even Christmas decorations can cause accidents. Follow these tips, from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), to keep your child safe for the season…

Your Christmas tree…

• Make sure it’s flameproof If you’re purchasing an artificial tree, check the packaging to make it’s fire resistant.
• Buy your live tree as late as possible and check it for freshness. A fresh tree is green, its needles are hard to pull from the branches and when bent between your fingers, the needles don’t break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when you tap it on the ground the tree shouldn’t shed many needles.
• Position it carefully When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and don’t block doorways.
• Preserve it for safety Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood – this allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry out live trees rapidly.

Your Christmas lights

• Avoid lights on a metallic tree Never use electric lights on a metallic tree – the tree could become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Use outdoor lights safely Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they’ve been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
• Check all tree lights before hanging them on your tree, even if you’ve just purchased them. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
• Use circuit breakers for all outdoor electric decorations to avoid potential shocks.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house – there’s a risk they could short out and start a fire.

Your Christmas decorations…

• Stick to flame-resistant decorations Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders and place candles where they won’t be knocked over.
• Keep them child-friendly In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.
• Remove wrapping paper, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child, or can cause a fire if near flame.
• Don’t burn giftwrapin the fireplace A flash fire may result, as wrappings can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Toy safety

• Keep them age-appropriate Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.
• Read instructions carefully before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy he has received as a gift.
• Prevent burns and electric shocks by not giving kids under 10 toys that need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
• Check for small parts with under-3s Children under 3 can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for under-3s cannot have parts less than 11/4 inches in diameter and 21/4 inches long.
• Avoid choking hazards Kids under 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons.
  
• Police pullcord toys Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length – they could be a strangulation hazard for babies. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.

Food safety

• Ban bacteria Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.
• Keep hot items out of reach Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child's exploring hands.
• Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same.
• Don’t mix raw and cooked Store raw and cooked foods separately, and use separate utensils when preparing them.
• Thaw meat safely in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

Happy visiting

• Clean up immediately after a holiday party A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.
• Check on childproofing Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.
• Soothe seasonal stress Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents and shopping can all increase your child’s stress levels. Sticking to her usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.

 

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