Holiday Safety Tips for Parents
The Holiday Season is upon us! It is a fun time for families and friends to gather, but please keep in mind that it can also be a time with hidden hazards, especially for children. Take a look at the tips below to prevent some of them most common dangers.
Decorate with Kids in Mind
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Throw out ornament hooks – the twisty metal hooks are a holiday hazard – young children can swallow them causing tons of trouble and a trip to the ER. Use safer alternatives such as short strings to affix your decorations.
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Keep fragile or precious ornaments towards the top of trees – babies and toddlers are curious. Keep any breakable ornaments or those that aren’t indestructible near the top so little fingers don’t find them. Some stores sell plush ornaments or those made of tough materials such as plastic or silicone which can be a bit safer. But still use caution to avoid choking hazards!
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Check all electronics and lights for frayed wires, missing lights, or loose connections and use with caution around young children. Make sure they are out of reach and not able to be pulled down. Use plug covers and safety gates when necessary.
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Poinsettias, Holly berries, Mistletoe, Jerusalem Cherry, and Christmas Cactus are some of the common decorative plants that can make children (and pets) sick. Keep them out of reach – or better yet don’t have them in your house or yard at all. Keep the national Poison Control Center’s number within reach - 1- 800-222-1222.
Holiday Meals
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Use the back burner on stoves and turn handles inside to prevent accidental spills.
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Make sure ovens are secured to the wall to prevent tip-overs. Even the most sturdy-seeming oven can be tipped when the weight is placed on an open oven door.
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Be cautious with hot foods and tiny fingers. Make sure food is cooled off properly before feeding to infants and toddlers.
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Keep foods that are choking hazards away from little hands – dried fruits, nuts, seeds, popcorn, whole grapes, and raw fruits or vegetables to name a few.
Gifts and Toys
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Make sure gifts are age appropriate, especially for children under three. Many toys can have parts that are choking hazards for little ones. Always check the suggested age for toys and make sure there are no recalls or safety hazards to worry about.
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Watch out for batteries – especially the small round “button” batteries – and keep them out of reach. They can pose a hazard – both choking and poisoning – for younger kids.
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Don’t forget helmets and safety gear! When buying gifts such as bicycles, scooters, or bicycle travel trailers, make sure to include helmets or the appropriate safety gear. Any child under the age of 16 is required to wear a helmet in Florida – including infants riding in a carrier or sling.
The team at the Healthy Start Coalition hopes that everyone have a safe and happy holiday season!
Feeling generous? All donations for our Save My Life Program made by the end of the year will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a generous donor! The Save My Life Program provides free culturally-relevant, one-on-one or small group pre & post-natal education and support for pregnant women in need in the North Sarasota area. For more information or to donate, call us at 941-373-7070 or visit healthystartsarasota.org/match.
