How to Have a Safe Holiday

The holiday season is upon us and many families are getting into the holiday spirit by decorating their homes, visiting friends and family, cooking and baking for get-togethers, and buying toys and gifts for their loved ones. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and not realize the potential injury risks some of these activities can have. The good news is that by being aware of the dangers and taking a few steps, many of these injuries can be prevented.

Decorations

• Size and material matter. Be aware of the size of the decorations you are placing around your home. Many small decorations can be choking hazards for young children. Other large decorations may have pieces that can break off into small, sharp pieces that can be quite dangerous. Either save these decorations for when your children are older or place them high out of reach.

• Lights. Before hanging up lights – either on a tree or around the home – look for frayed and exposed wires. Replace any light strings that are not in good repair, and make sure you never plug more than three strands of lights into one extension cord.

• Candles. Make sure to place candles on a high surface that cannot be reached by young children. Before lighting the candle, remove any potentially flammable materials nearby like curtains and bottles of alcohol. Unattended candles can be a danger, so make sure to blow out all lit candles before you leave a room. More on holiday candles here.

• Plants. Many plants used for holiday decorating can be poisonous for children and pets. Consider using artificial plants if young children or pets will be in your home over the holidays. If real plants will be used, place them out of reach.  Make sure to save the poison center number in your cellphone and keep it posted by your home phone in case of an emergency: 1-800-222-1222.

 In the Kitchen

• Pots and Pans. When possible, use the back burners first. If your pot or pan will be on the front burners, turn the handle away from the front of the stove.

• Set up a kid-free zone. Set up a kid-free zone in the kitchen that extends at least 3 feet out from the oven to prevent potential burns.

• Keep kids “cool.” Wait to have kids help with kitchen tasks that aren’t near the stove until they are older. A fun, safe activity for the family can be decorating holiday cookies after they have cooled down or washing fruits and veggies.

  Visiting Family and Friends

• Childproofing. Remember that not all homes you visit over the holidays will have home safety measures in place. When you arrive someplace new, do a quick check for potential dangers like breakables, uncovered electrical outlets and easily accessible poisons (plants, medications, household cleaners, etc.). Ask the hosts if you can move breakables and poisons to higher ground or an off-limits room – even better if the hosts can do this before you come over. Consider bringing your own baby gates to block off stairways or parts of the house with unanchored furniture. Be extra careful around these dangers – just because there are a lot of adults around doesn’t always mean someone is watching your child(ren).

• Be a good guest. If there will be children in a home you are visiting, be aware of potential risks you are bringing with you.
• If your purse or luggage has medication, marijuana edibles, and/or a firearm inside, place it somewhere out of reach - in a lockbox or locked cabinet is best.
• If you will be drinking alcohol, don’t leave glasses with any alcohol left in them lying around.
• Cameras, key fobs and singing holiday cards may use button batteries, which can be very dangerous to young children if swallowed. Keep these items out of reach of young children.

 Toys and Gifts

• Follow age guidelines. Before purchasing a present for a child, check the packaging to make sure it is age appropriate.

• Check for recalls. Check SaferProducts.gov before giving a toy or children’s product to make sure it has not been recalled and encourage the recipient to register the product so they’ll be informed if any safety issues arise.

• Add protective gear. If you give a gift such as a bicycle, scooter or skateboard, remember to also give protective gear like a properly fitted helmet and pads. Learn more about where to find and how to fit a bike helmet here.

• Look at the battery compartment. Only buy toys with battery compartments that need a screwdriver to open or have a child-resistant locking mechanism. Button batteries can be easily swallowed and toxic.

• Dangers of adult gifts. Remember that many gifts intended for adults can be dangerous to young children in the home. For example, high-powered magnets, often sold in sets of tiny balls as desk toys or stress relievers, can cause serious injuries when they’re unintentionally swallowed by curious young children or teenagers imitating lip or tongue piercings. More on magnets here.

For most, the holidays are joyous times. Give your family the gift of safety by being aware of these potential dangers and taking the recommended steps to prevent injuries. We want your children home celebrating with you, not here with us. Learn about more holiday safety tips, and be safe!