Holiday safety tips

HE holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday season, here are some tips!

Trees

When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces or any other sources of heat.

Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Cut a few centimetres off the trunk of the tree to expose the fresh wood.

This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.

Lights

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.

The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails. Never pull or tug lights to remove them. Check all tree lights, even if you’ve just bought them, before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.

Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks. Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Decorations

Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant material to decorate a tree. Choose tinsel of plastic or non-leaded metals. Never use lighted candles on a tree.

Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down. In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.

Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble sweets or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.

Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from trees after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flames.

Toy safety

Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.

Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. To prevent burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into a plug.

Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated. Children under three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games, while children under 8 can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons.

Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.

Food safety

Bacteria is often present in raw food. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits. Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child’s exploring hands.

Wash your hands often and make sure your children do the same. Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separate, and use separate utensils when preparing them. Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.

Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

Happy visiting

Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.

Travelling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child’s stress levels.

Trying to stick to your child’s usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.