Keeping the Holidays Happy and Accident Free
The holiday season can be one of the happiest times of the year for families with little children. But it takes proper planning to be sure all those bright lights, colorful gifts and Christmas trees act only as ornaments of the holiday season and don't become health hazards to little ones.
Children ages six months to four years are the most prone to holiday accidents. Young children are naturally curious, so it's important to keep them away from holiday decorations and food items that can pose a potential risk.
To ensure that you and your family have a happy and accident-free holiday season, try following these safety precautions:
"There's no better precaution than closely supervising your child," says Scott Gee, MD. "This is especially important if you're celebrating the holidays away from home, since the homes of friends and relatives aren't always childproofed."
- When visiting the home of a friend or relative, make sure that one parent is always watching a young child. Take shifts if necessary, and consider bringing a portable crib or childproof gate if you're planning to stay for any length of time.
- Keep space heaters away from children, Christmas trees, presents, curtains, and anything flammable. Also, make sure that heaters are turned off when you leave home.
- Always turn tree lights off before going to bed or going out.
- Use a surge protector for Christmas tree lights. This will prevent electrical burns and keeps the plug from exploding in a child's hand.
- Keep Christmas trees watered and be careful of lights overheating. Don't use candles on Christmas trees.
- Keep little ones away from the Christmas tree — if they accidentally use the electrical cord for teething, they can suffer severe facial burns.
- Make sure Grandmother's purse with her medicines in it is put up high out of a young child's reach or put away.
- Keep holiday food items such as nuts and hard candies away from young children. These foods can cause them to choke. Try bringing your own foods for children if you're celebrating the holidays away from home.
- If you're staying with relatives or at a motel for the holidays, make sure the home or motel room is childproofed before letting your young child explore the surroundings. In addition to holiday hazards it's important to remember that swimming pools, hot tubs, and balconies also pose a risk to young children.
- Holiday plants such as poinsettias and mistletoe can prove toxic to children if eaten.
- Keep toddlers away from Christmas trees. Young children can pull trees down, swallow ornament hooks, or put their teeth on ornaments, which may contain lead paint.
- Always have a designated driver and watch your alcoholic intake during the holidays. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death in young children.
- Bring along a favorite toy or video to keep children entertained as kids can get into trouble when they're bored or unsupervised.
- Make sure that cleaning solvents are kept out of reach.