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Believe it or not, the Christmas holiday season is upon us. With all of the excitement and chaos that may come with holiday traditions, be sure to keep your family safe and healthy this holiday season. Follow these tips for a successful and fun holiday season:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 240,000 children under the age of 15 were treated in the emergency departments for toy-related injuries in 2016. Before buying a toy or allowing your children to play with a new toy, read the instructions carefully. Make certain the toy is suitable for the age and interest level of the child. Keep toys for older kids away from young children.
Toys or games with small parts pose a choking hazard for small children. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, government regulations specify that toys for children under the age of three cannot have parts less than 1 ¼ inches in diameter and 2 ¼ inches long. Remove tags and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. Ribbons or strings longer than 12 inches could be a strangulation hazard for babies and toddlers.
If you set up a Christmas tree, keep it away from fireplaces and do not block doorways. If you buy a real tree, keep it watered. A dried-out tree is more likely to catch fire faster than a hydrated tree. Avoid decorating with items that are breakable or sharp. Let your children help you decorate the tree, but remind them to be careful.
When lighting candles, remove flammable materials from the area and keep them out of reach of children. If you string lights, make sure all bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires or broken sockets. Keep the lights out of reach from little children that may try to put them in their mouths. Before you go to sleep, unplug all lights and blow out all candles to reduce the risk of starting an accidental fire.
Enjoy holiday treats and meals in moderation. Try substituting fruit as a sweet substitute for candy. At family meals, let children serve themselves. Sometimes adults tend to overestimate the amount of food kids will eat. Keep serving platters off the table when eating to reduce the tendency to go back for seconds.
Get your whole family off the couch and make a plan to stay active. Bundle up and take a family walk or hike. Get festive and dance around the house with your child to your favorite holiday music. When the temperatures dip, visit a trampoline park, sporting event or bowling alley to burn off some energy.
Communicating with your family is key. Explain to your children that they will experience a change in their normal routine. Let them know what to expect and what you expect of them, especially if you’re traveling or hosting visitors. Most importantly, stay safe and healthy and enjoy your holidays!
Sources:
usa.chirldcareaware.org
healthychildren.org
cdc.gov
childmind.org
cpsc.gov
