helendevos125Our friends at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital want to keep your children safe this holiday season.  Here are some things you should keep in mind as your family celebrates.

Choking and Swallowing Hazards
-Tree ornaments, light bulbs, icicles, tinsel and small toys are potential choking hazards for small children because they may block the airway. The general rule of thumb is that if it’s small enough to fit in the mouths of babies and toddlers, they shouldn’t play with it.

-Common holiday foods such as peanuts or popcorn are potential choking hazards and should not be given to children under four years of age.

Fire and Burn Safety
-Keep your tree secured in a sturdy stand so that it doesn’t tip over or isn’t knocked over by kids or pets.

-Place it away from all heat sources such as electrical outlets, radiators and portable space heaters. If you buy an artificial tree, be sure that it is labeled “fire-retardant.”

-Unplug all lights, both indoor and outdoor before you go to bed or leave the house.  Never overload indoor or outdoor electrical outlets.

-Keep candles away from windowsills and mantles and use only flame-retardant decorations when decking your halls.

Accidents
-The kitchen is often a busy place during the holidays with more cooking and baking than usual. There are a lot of opportunities for burns and scaldings. Keep pot handles turned away from the front of the stove and always keep the oven door closed. 

-Keep breakable ornaments out of the reach of young children or keep them off the tree until your children are older.

Poisoning
-Plants such as mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and Jerusalem cherry are considered potentially poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children. Symptoms of plant poisoning can include rashes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you suspect that your child has eaten any part of a plant, immediately call your doctor or poison control at (800) 222-1222.

-”Bubble lights” containing methylene chloride can be poisonous if a child drinks the fluid from more than one light even if labeled nontoxic.

-Alcohol poisoning is a common risk for children during the holiday season. Many parents host holiday parties where alcohol is served. Parents should remove all empty and partially empty glasses immediately following parties. Children often imitate adults and may drink the beverages they see adults drinking.