Holiday Safety Tips for Kids

The holidays are a fun time of year for most children, with the anticipation of getting gifts, seeing family and being out of school. It is also an important time of year to be mindful of your children’s safety.

Holiday decorations, traveling, new toys, and visiting homes that may not be childproofed, can put your children in danger.Some simple precautions can help to make sure that your children have a fun and safe holiday.

Childproofing for the Holidays

Most parents understand the importance of childproofing their homes. Gates on stairs, using smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, and keeping medicines and poisons out of reach are fairly standard in many homes. In addition to the risks of holiday decorations, younger children can get into trouble if they visit a home during the holidays (or anytime of year) that isn’t childproofed.

It is especially likely that a home isn’t childproofed if you are visiting grandma and grandpa and they don’t usually have children in the house. In addition to not having safety locks on cabinets, gates on stairs, covers on electrical outlets, etc., they may also have prescription medications that aren’t in a child resistant container. Things to be especially watchful for, and which you may want to ask about, include:

* Do they have a pool? Does it have a fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate? Can the children get to the area where the pool is located?

* Are there small objects, such as hard candy or nuts in candy dishes, where younger children can get them?

* Are there gates on the stairs?

* Are medications, poisons and household cleaners out of reach?

* Do they have a pet that may harm the children, such as a Rottweiler, Pit Bull or German Shepard?

* If your child has food allergies, will they be serving that food?

You may think that you will just watch your child more closely, even if the house isn’t childproofed, but this is hard if there are a lot of family members and friends present and the kids are all playing together. If there are going to be a lot of younger children present at a holiday gathering, you might consider volunteering to go over before hand and childproof the house for them.

Toy Safety

The following tips will help you choose appropriate toys:

* Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills, and interest level of the intended child.Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.

* For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts which could pose a fatal choking hazard.

* Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other potential small parts.

* For all children under age 10, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

* Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age 10.

* Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide.

* Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you, and when appropriate, to the child.

* Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys, which can cause suffocation, before they become deadly playthings.

* If your child is going to be getting something that he can ride, such as a bicycle, inline skates, scooter, or a skateboard, be sure that he also gets the appropriate protective equipment, including a helmet and pads.

Decorations

Christmas trees, holiday lights, and candles can pose a safety hazard too.When choosing a Christmas tree, either choose a fire resistant artificial tree or a fresh live tree, which should be green, with needles that are hard to pull off. Also keep the stand of your live tree filled with water and keep the tree away from the fireplace and radiator.

Before using lights when decorating, make sure that they are not damaged, avoid using more than three sets of light on a single extension cord and don’t overload electrical outlets.

Other decorations should be flame-resistant and made of non leaded materials. Avoid breakable decorations on the tree and make sure the tree is secure and can’t be easily tipped over. Tinsel and small decorations should not be put near the bottom of the tree where they can be easily in reach of young children. You should also avoid edible decorations, including popcorn chains and candy canes, since younger children may think that all of the decorations are edible.

Keep in mind that artificial snow and flocking materials are not edible, so you may want to avoid them if there are younger children in the home.

Candles should never be left unattended, placed in an area where they can be easily knocked over or near flammable curtains or decorations.

Helping Children During the Holidays

Keep a close eye on your children when shopping, as it is easily to get lost or taken in a busy store or shopping center.

In addition to being fun, the holidays can be stressful for some children. Traveling, 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.

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Friday is October 31st and that means Halloween is upon us again!

In many parts of the world, Halloween is celebrated by making funny or scary faces on pumpkins and letting children go door-to-door “trick or treating” for goodies and candies. With that comes a special responsibilty for parents to make Halloween a safe and fun time of the year.

Here are some accepted safety tips for Halloween safety:

BEFORE HALLOWEEN:

* Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
* Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
* Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
* Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.
* When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.
* Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.
* Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
* Plan ahead to use only battery powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.
* Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.
* Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.
* Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.

BEFORE NIGHTFALL ON HALLOWEEN:

* A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
* While children can help with the fun of designing a Jack O’ Lantern, leave the carving to adults.
* Always keep Jack O’ Lanterns and hot electric lamps far away from drapes, decorations, flammable materials or areas where children and pets will be standing or walking.
* Plan and review with your children the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.
* Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard.
* Agree on a specific time when revelers must return home.
* Along with flashlights for all, older children and escorts should wear a wristwatch and carry coins for non-emergency phone calls.
* Confine, segregate or otherwise prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds. Be sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags. Consult your veterinarian for further advice.
* Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.

WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING:

* A Parent or responsible Adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
* Remind Trick-or-Treaters:
o By using a flashlight, they can see and be seen by others.
o Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.
o Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.
o Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
o If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
o Never cut across yards or use alleys.
o Never enter a stranger’s home or car for a treat.
o Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.
o Always walk. Never run across a street.
o Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).
o Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.
o Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will.
o Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.
o No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an Adult at home.
o Law Enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

AFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING:

* Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible Adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
* Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.
* Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

After all is said and done, it is the safety of our children that is most important. Making it a safe and enjoyable experience all at one time is an effort that takes creative parenting.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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