The holidays are a magical time for small children. Unfortunately, it’s also a busy time of the year for emergency room visits, especially those involving young children. Here are some important ways to protect the youngest members of your family this holiday season:
Keep your tree secure. Whether you have a real tree or an artificial one, make sure it won’t easily tip over. Many tree stands offer adjustable screws to help secure your tree, whatever its size. Think twice about hanging ornaments that will appeal to little ones — especially think twice about hanging them just out of reach of little hands. If they try to reach that bright ornament, they could grab the tree for support, pulling it over on top of them.
Watch for choking hazards. Small candy, ornaments, mistletoe, poinsettias, popcorn, light bulbs and more can pose a choking or poisoning risk to small children. Keep them up high and out of reach. While everyone is opening presents, keep a close eye on the little ones. They love to put all sorts of things in their mouths, including paper, ribbon, and tape. Double check all toys for small parts before letting children play with them.
Take care with candles. Candles are a common decoration during the holidays, but they are also a common source of home fires and accidental burns this time of year. If you have small children, consider using flameless candles.
Keep children out of the kitchen. During the preparation of big holiday meals, it’s always a good idea to have a trusted family member supervise small children in another area of the home. Busy kitchens pose a host of risks to toddlers and preschoolers.
Use safety gear. if you’re giving children a bicycle, scooter or skateboard, make sure you give them the appropriate safety helmet and gear. Head trauma from sledding accidents is a common wintertime injury in areas of the country with snow. Supervise children while they are sledding and make sure they wear a quality helmet. Avoid steep, rocky hills and crowded areas.
Just in case something goes awry, make sure you have a plan for emergencies. Make sure you have a list of emergency numbers posted. If there is a fire or another emergency, know how you will get everyone out of the house safely and where you will meet up afterwards.
As you welcome family and friends into your home for the holidays, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.