The holiday season is a wonderful time for children of all ages. But it's also a time to be extra careful with safety. There are trees, lights, candles, decorations and new toys everywhere. To a child, these new things are exciting and natural curiosity can lead to burns, choking and poisoning. Kosair Children's Hospital offers these seasonal safety suggestions:
Decorations and Trees
If you have a tree, anchor it firmly so your child can't pull it over. Trim lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children. Be sure to place ornaments high enough so that young children can't reach them. Broken ornaments can choke or cut and many older painted ornaments and tinsel contain lead that can cause poisoning.
Avoid using artificial snow sprays when decorating. They can cause lung irritation and should not be inhaled, particularly by children. Dispose of colored wrapping paper immediately before it finds its way into little hands and mouths and avoid burning it in the fireplace - many dyes in the paper release poisonous fumes.
Holly and mistletoe are poisonous, so keep them out of your child's reach. Poinsettias aren't a serious threat, but may cause skin irritation and intense stomachaches. Keep the Poison Center number close at hand. In Metro Louisville, it's (502) 589-8222. Throughout Kentucky, it's 1-800-722-5725.
Lights, Fires and Candles
Fire safety is especially critical during the holidays. Trees, lights, candles and fires in the fireplace all increase the chance of a fire in your home. To prevent fires, keep your tree and other decorations away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, heating vents, burning candles and space heaters.
Keep burning candles, matches and lighters out of children's reach and never leave children unattended in a room where there are candles or a fireplace burning. Teach children to admire the beauty of a fire from a safe distance.
Decorate your tree using only UL-approved lights and cords and inspect lights for frayed cords or faulty bulbs that could catch on fire. Don't overload outlets or extension cords and never run electrical cords under a carpet or rug.
Be aware that if a fire should start on your tree, it will spread more quickly if the tree is dry. If you choose to have a natural tree, buy the freshest tree possible and water it regularly. Take it down as soon as the needles start to fall off.
No matter how careful you are, you still need to have a working smoke detector in your home. Remember to check the batteries once a month and change them twice a year.
Develop a family escape plan and make sure every member of the household knows what to do if the smoke detector goes off. Have at least two escape routes in case one is blocked with fire or smoke. Teach your children to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes catch on fire. Running will make the fire burn faster.
Food and Drink
Children can choke on holiday treats such as peppermints, peanuts and popcorn. Keep these foods away from your child. Alcohol poisoning is also serious in children, so keep alcoholic beverages - including egg nog and holiday punch - out of your child's reach. Always clean up half-empty drinks left
over from a party.
Toys and Games
Government regulations help keep toys safe for children, but you still have to be careful. A toy that's completely safe for an older child can be very dangerous for a younger one. For example, a young child could swallow dice from a board game or a small piece from a model car.
Always look for the age recommendations on the package when you buy toys and keep older children's toys away from younger ones. If you'd like more information on toy safety, call Kosair Children's Hospital for a fact sheet.
If you're giving your child a bicycle, skateboard or in-line skates as a gift, be sure you also give a helmet and insist they wear it every time they ride or skate. For skateboards and in-line skates, elbow pads, knee pads and gloves are also recommended.
While these safety tips focus mainly on the home, be careful on the road during the holidays, too. People are rushing around shopping and visiting, and they may be driving carelessly. Buckle-up your child, and yourself, every time you get into the car and
drive carefully.
In An Emergency
If you believe your child needs emergency care, contact your child's doctor. If you're unable to reach your physician - or in the event of a serious emergency - bring your child straight to the emergency department at Kosair Children's Hospital, any hour of the day or night. Kosair Children's has the staff, the facilities, the equipment, and the technology to handle any pediatric emergency, from the smallest cut to the most serious injury.
Why Kosair Children's Hospital Cares
Kosair Children's Hospital is Kentucky's only free-standing, full-service hospital dedicated exclusively to caring for children, adolescents and young adults. We have a strong commitment to the health and safety of all children. For more information on holiday safety or to inquire about free fact sheets on a variety of health and safety subjects, call 502-629-KIDS or 1-800-852-1770.
