Holiday Safety Tips

CAUTION: CHILDPROOFING IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADULT SUPERVISION

Christmas and Hanukkah are one of the most festive times of the year. Visiting family, decorations, presents and lights are all part of the holiday spirit. While it is important to be festive and have fun, it is also important to be aware of hidden dangers the holidays bring to our children.

Don't let the excitement of the holiday season get your guard down when celebrating with family and friends. Child related injuries increase during the holiday season because of the many distractions to parents. Nothing dampens the holiday spirit like an injured child. Here are some things to be aware of to help ensure a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah.

Holiday Treats

Most of us love all the goodies that come with the holidays. While cookies, cakes, fruits, candies and nuts may be our favorites, they should be kept out of reach of children. Small fruits, nuts and candies may pose a choking hazard and too much sugar in cookies and other sweets may make your children sick.

Holiday Plants

Holly berries, poinsettia plants and mistletoe leaves are all poisonous and also present a choking hazard. Plants should be kept out of reach of our little ones hands and fingers. If your child does ingest any poisons, contact poison control immediately at 1-800-876-4766.

Holiday Decorations

Some of our most precious family heirlooms are homemade holiday decorations. But these can also be dangerous to young children, especially if they contain small parts that can easily break off. Small ornaments can be choking hazards and glass figurines can break and cut little fingers. Consider using unbreakable ornaments until your children are older, or at least keep the more delicate ones out of their reach.

Christmas Trees

The Christmas tree is the center of attention in many homes over the holidays. Ornaments, lights and other decorations attract children right to it. Be careful not to allow you children to tug on the tree or play with the ornaments. They could pull the tree over onto themselves and cause bruises, cuts and eye injuries. Light bulbs and light cords can cause injury or electrocution if chewed or swallowed. Pay special attention to tinsel. Though lead tinsel is no longer available in the US, be sure if you receive any as a gift from out of the country or an international store, that it does not contain lead. Not only is lead poisonous, but the tinsel poses a choking hazard.

Holiday Lights

Burn injuries are common during the Hanukkah and Christmas seasons. Light bulbs are hot to the touch and candles can catch clothing on fire. Be sure the cords and plugs are in good condition and not frayed or loose.

Keep children away from all holiday bulbs and wires and keep an eye on wall outlets. You may want to add a few self-closing outlet covers.
Inspect all electrical wires and outlets each year before lighting up your home or tree.
Whether it is an Advent wreath or a menorah, don.t leave candle out where children can reach them.
A living Christmas tree is very flammable and is no place for real candles.
When using candles, watch out for table cloths, napkins and wrapping paper that might catch fire.

Presents and Wrapping Paper

Wrapping paper and trimmings that come on presents are pretty but can also cause injury to infants and young toddlers. Ribbons and string can cause strangulation and plastic bags suffocation. Pick up wrapping materials and throw them away immediately after opening gifts. Some wrapping paper contains toxic dyes that if eaten or chewed, could make a young child sick. Be sue toys are age appropriate and safe to play with. If you child receives an unsafe toy, exchange it. Hurt feeling mend much easier than a hurt child.

Alcohol

Alcohol should ALWAYS be kept out of the reach of children. Alcohol is toxic and can cause death in infants and toddlers. On too many occasions, children suffer a tremendous loss from alcohol even when they are not the ones drinking it.

Let.s face it. The Holiday season is a time to get together with friends and family and celebrate. No celebration is worth the negative impact of drinking and driving. Over 17,000 people died in alcohol related crashes, and 1.5 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs last year.

NO child deserves to be killed because of a parent.s bad judgment. NO child deserves to lose a mother or father, or both, because of drinking.
"I know. This stuff won't happen to me because we are careful..

IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR!! PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!