Holiday Safety
Holiday Safety Tips
by Gel Detrick, QI Coordinator, SWHP
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, this time of year is a great time to get together with family and friends. It's also the time of year when we're busy and in a hurry and when accidents can happen. Children love to help out with holiday preparations and be a part of the action. It's important to keep in mind a few safety tips so that you and your family can enjoy a happy, healthy, holiday season.
HALLOWEEN
Traditionally, the holiday season starts with Halloween. If you are taking a child trick or treating it's important to make sure that the costumes you pick for your little ghosts and goblins are safe. Here are a few tips:
- Make sure the costumes are flame resistant
- Use reflectors on the chest and back if possible
- Carry a flashlight if trick or treating after dark (or even at dusk)
- If your child is wearing a mask, be sure the eye holes are big enough for them to see out easily, make them bigger if you need to
- Be sure to check all the treats before you let your children eat any
THANKSGIVING
It seems that most of the Thanksgiving activities focus on food and cooking. Children like to "help out" and can often be overlooked when things get busy. Here's a few kitchen safety tips to keep in mind:
- Don't leave pots on the stove unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.
- Turn pan handles towards the center of the stove, small children won't be able to reach.
- Don't leave a turkey cooking in the stove with nobody at home
- Keep children away from the hot stove. The steam or splash from cooking food could cause serious burns.
- Wipe up any spills on the floor so you don't trip or fall.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Watch for dangling electrical cords, a child could easily get caught up in them.
- Keep matches, lighters and candles out of the reach of children..
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in easy reach. Know how to use it and teach youngsters how to use it too.
CHRISTMAS
No holiday brings more excitement to most children than Christmas. There's so much to see and do and children don't always take care, so here's a few tips for the adults to have a safe, happy time with the family:
Trees
- If you use an artificial tree, make sure it is fire resistant
- Make sure your tree is not too close the fireplace or radiator
- Don't block an entryway with your tree
- Make sure your live tree is fresh so it will last and not dry up too quickly.
- A fresh tree is green.
- Fresh needles are hard to pull from branches.
- When bent between your fingers, needles do not break.
- The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin.
- When tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
- Keep your tree well watered so it doesn't dry out
When you are decorating your tree or hanging decorations, be sure to use a ladder for the high, hard to reach places. Make sure the ladder is stable before you climb up the rungs and never let children climb the ladder without an adult watching. Be careful when carrying decorations or lights up or down, it's easy to lose your balance.
Lights
- Use only lights that are safety tested.
- Only use outdoor lights outside. String outside lights through hooks or insulated staples. Don't use nails or tacks.
- Only use indoor lights inside.
- Check all lights are in working order before hanging.
- Make sure your outside lights and any electric decorations are grounded to avoid electric shocks.
- Never leave lights on (inside or out) when you go to bed or leave the house.
- Check all tree lights to see if the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
Decorating
- Don't use real candles on a tree.
- Be sure that lighted candles are not close to anything that could catch fire easily.
- Never leave a child alone in a room with lit candles or a burning fireplace.
- When trimming a tree, make sure the decorations are flame resistant.
- If there are small children in the home try not to use sharp or breakable ornaments.
- Keep fireplaces clear of any clutter that might catch fire.
- Don't throw wrapping paper into the fire as sparks could fly out and cause burns.
Toys
- Check the manufacturer's recommended age for children.
- Read the instructions before letting your child play with a new toy (especially if it has moving parts).
- Battery operated toys work better than "plug in" toys for children under age 10, as they could cause an electric shock or burns when not used properly.
- Children under age 4 can choke on small parts or small toys.
- Watch for anything that could cause a choking hazard for babies or small children.
Safety precautions may take a few extra minutes in your busy day. In the long run though, not having a sick child or not having to make a visit to the emergency room will certainly make your holiday season a time to remember, in a good way. Happy Holidays!
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Products Safety Commission, National Fire Protection Association