Holiday-time tips for child safety
Dec 21, 2012 4:00 PM
Holidays are joyful celebrations—as long as you follow certain measures to keep your child safe. Keep these easy-to-remember tips in mind during holiday festivities (and at celebrations throughout the year).
Take care with candles. Place candles only in a non-flammable and heat-resistant container, at least a foot away from other materials. Keep them out of reach of children, and definitely out of a child's room. And keep matches where kids can't reach them to light a candle after they've watched you do so. Never leave a burning candle unattended, especially with kids around, and put candles out when you leave the room or house, and certainly before you go to sleep.
Check all toys after opening. Toys you've purchased may be less safe than you expected once the package is opened, so check them carefully to make sure there aren't any small parts or pieces (including ones that can separate or detach) that can become a choking hazard. Don't let your baby or young child play with toys received as gifts unless you are sure they are age appropriate. When visiting with friends or family with older kids, keep their toys away from your baby or toddler. (See more toy-safety tips.)
Throw away wrapping paper. After opening gifts, put away or discard all wrapping paper, strings, ribbon, and bows. A toddler can easily put a ribbon around her neck, a plastic bag over her head, or paper in her mouth while you are even momentarily distracted.
Never throw wrapping paper into a fire. Don't let children throw wrapping paper into the fire (and don't try it yourself). Fires started with wrapping paper can burn rapidly and intensely, and they can create a flash fire.
Take care with candles. Place candles only in a non-flammable and heat-resistant container, at least a foot away from other materials. Keep them out of reach of children, and definitely out of a child's room. And keep matches where kids can't reach them to light a candle after they've watched you do so. Never leave a burning candle unattended, especially with kids around, and put candles out when you leave the room or house, and certainly before you go to sleep.
Check all toys after opening. Toys you've purchased may be less safe than you expected once the package is opened, so check them carefully to make sure there aren't any small parts or pieces (including ones that can separate or detach) that can become a choking hazard. Don't let your baby or young child play with toys received as gifts unless you are sure they are age appropriate. When visiting with friends or family with older kids, keep their toys away from your baby or toddler. (See more toy-safety tips.)
Throw away wrapping paper. After opening gifts, put away or discard all wrapping paper, strings, ribbon, and bows. A toddler can easily put a ribbon around her neck, a plastic bag over her head, or paper in her mouth while you are even momentarily distracted.
Never throw wrapping paper into a fire. Don't let children throw wrapping paper into the fire (and don't try it yourself). Fires started with wrapping paper can burn rapidly and intensely, and they can create a flash fire.
—Artemis DiBenedetto
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