The Christmas holidays should be a magical time for children. Yet each year, hospital emergency rooms treat a number of people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees.
Keep the season merry with this list of safety tips.
Safer trees and decorations
When purchasing a tree, look for the label Fire Resistant. Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. When setting up a tree at home, place it out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or non-leaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders and place candles out of children's reach.
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 the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food, which may tempt a child to eat them. Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass angel hair. Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial-snow sprays.
Bright ideas for lights
Indoors or outside, always use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognised testing laboratory that indicates conformance with safety standards. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks. Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Trouble-free Toys
Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. If the toy is appropriate for your child, show him how to use it properly. Follow recommended age ranges on toy packages. Toys that are too advanced could pose a safety hazard for younger children.
To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don't give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated. Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games.
Children under age eight can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
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. Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.
Keep a laminated list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire department and your pediatrician. Travelling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Trying to stick to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
Food safety
Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.
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.
Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.
Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separate, and use separate utensils when preparing them.
Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
