With the Christmas season upon us it is time once again to decorate the tree, string lights around the house, and shop, bake and entertain! In part one we discussed tree and light safety. In this part we will talk about some safety tips given by the American Academy of Pediatrics on decoration and toy safety augmented with some of my own.

Decorations

• Christmas ornaments, candles, wreaths and stockings all add to the joy of the season. Here are some tips to making sure your decorations are not only fun, but safe:
• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.
• Tinsel or artificial icicles should be made of plastic or non-leaded metal.
• Never use candles on or near a tree. Place candles up and away from children’s reach, and remember to blow them out when leaving the house and before going to bed.
• If you have small children, avoid decorations that are sharp and breakable.
• Avoid decorating with popcorn or candy canes as children may think all decorations are edible.
• Hang decorations with small removable parts on upper limbs of the tree out of the reach of children.
• Stockings should be hung where children cannot reach them and pull them down. Be especially careful with the new heavy stocking hangers that are now in style as they could cause serious head injury to an unsuspecting child.
• Wear gloves if decorating with “angel hair” as it is spun glass and a skin irritant. Keep it up and away from children.
• If decorating with spray-on artificial snow, follow directions carefully to avoid lung irritation.
• Store ‘fire salts’, used to create colored flames, away from children’s reach, as they contain heavy metals that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Avoid artificial snow or flocking materials. They are not all fire resistant and, if ingested by a child, could cause intestinal problems. Additionally, they could be a lung irritant to children with asthma.

Toy Safety

For children, toys on Christmas day is one of the joys of life; and as parents we love seeing our little one’s eyes light up when they open their gifts. But before shopping for toys, check the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) site for recall information. You can find this information at www.cpsc.gov or you can call 1-800-638-2772. Here are some additional tips for making the right toy purchase:

• Always select toys that are suitable for the age of the child you are buying for. The label should have a recommended age range listed. Also take into consideration a child’s skills and interests. Toys that are too advanced may pose a safety hazard for young children.
• Carefully inspect all toys. Does the toy have parts that might be easily pulled off by a child or mouthed off by a baby? Does the toy have sharp edges?
• Consider siblings when buying for older children. A toy with small parts that might be enjoyed by a five-year-old, may present a choking hazard to her one-year-old sibling.
• Instructions that accompany toys should be easy to understand. Be sure you read the instructions and follow them before allowing your child to play with a new toy.
• If your child is getting something he can ride, such as a bike, skates, scooter or skateboard, make sure he also gets the appropriate safety equipment like helmets and pads.
• Before opening any video or computer game, check the age appropriateness in regards to violence, sexual content, etc.. Games cannot be returned if opened.
• If your child gets a paintball gun, BB gun, or airsoft gun make the rules clear–NO shooting with out safety goggles and adult supervision.
• Do not buy electric toys with heating elements for children under 8 years old.
• Do not give a child under 10 years old a toy that has to be plugged in– only give battery operated ones.
• Do not give any toys that require watch-size batteries. Tiny watch batteries are a major choking hazard and can cause serious intestinal problems if swallowed.
• To prevent choking, toys for children under 3 years of age should no have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
• Pull strings on toys should not be longer than 12 inches.
• After opening gifts, remove all paper, plastic wrap, ribbon etc. as these items could be a choking hazard for young children. Do not burn gift wrap, ribbon, or packaging in the fireplace a they can cause a flash fire.

Enjoy your holidays and remember: you’re not just celebrating Christmas, you are making memories that last a lifetime! Have a very Merry Christmas!