Makin
a List, Checkin it Twice...
Be sure your holiday checklist includes a safety review!
Only days ago we were
at the mall desperately seeking Halloween
costumes when what to our astounded eyes
appeared? No, not Santa and eight tiny
reindeer, but it could have been.
Actually, it was several department stores
already garnished in their holiday wares!
Yikes, we hadn't even chosen an outfit for
two nights away much less begun thinking
about the holidays.
So quick, take down the
witch and the goblins and pull out your
tinsel and mistle toe! But first, lets
take a few moments before the hustle and
bustle begins and turn our attention to
toys, Santa and yummy treats. Often
parents and caregivers give little thought
to the dangers that lurk around the
Christmas tree, in candy dishes and
luggage of visiting family and friends.
This year when preparing your home for the
holidays or when welcoming traveling
visitors be sure to:
- Decorate your
Christmas tree appropriately for your
child's age. Children who are still
"mouthing" items may put ornaments in
their mouths. Put glass bulbs, lights,
tinsel and ornaments that are delicate
or have removable parts out of reach.
Remember that popcorn is a choking
hazard for children under age 5. You
could place the tree on top of a table
(no table cloth) or put a safety fence
around it.
- Designate a
responsible adult to unplug all lights
before bed time or leaving the house
(blow out all candles (menorah) also).
Last year the day after Christmas we
read about at least six fires believed
to be related to the Christmas tree or
other flammable/electrical decorations.
The homes were destroyed, but more
tragically many lives were
lost.
- Resolve that some
decorations may have to wait until next
year. Depending on your child's age you
may have to keep your favorite
decorations boxed this year or up high
where they can't reach them. Lori has
one of those Santa's that holds a light
and plays various holiday tunes. Her
son, who last year was one year old,
could not keep his chubby little
fingers off it, so rather than
constantly harp about it, she opted to
put it away. We'll see how it goes this
year.
- Have visitors put
luggage and purses up high where they
can't be reached. Often, grandparents
carry medication in luggage; ask them
to store it with your other medications
(locked and out of reach).
- Hard candies and
nuts which are often set out for
visitors are also choking hazards for
children under age 5.
- Holiday meal
preparation needs special attention
too. Designate one adult to keep all
children out of the kitchen. With heavy
dishes and hot pots of water, knives
and turkeys being moved around, this is
not the place for a little one to be
visiting. Many children suffer
permanent scars from being burned with
scalding water. Empty alcohol from
abandoned glasses so little ones won't
be tempted to drink from
them.
- Nobody knows how
advanced our children are as we do.
They are by far the most intelligent
creatures ever birthed. Regardless of
your feelings about your child's
intelligence and abilities, it's best
to stick with toys that are age
appropriate for your child or any child
you're buying for. Check out the age
recommendations on the packaging to be
sure your child falls in that range.
That number is determined based on
several factors, one of which is
safety. Many times we are tempted to
buy things that are beyond our child's
age, because those toys appear to be
more fun (let's face it, the kid will
have more fun playing with the box and
wrapping than the actual gift),
however, a majority of toys for
children over three come with lots of
little pieces that are a danger to
infants and toddlers.
- Now is a good time
to check your batteries in your smoke
detectors and to also check the status
of your fire extinguisher (do you
actually know what to do with it if a
fire occurs?) A little forethought,
mixed with a dash of paranoia will keep
you in good stead this holiday season.
Now ask yourself, in regards to
preparing a safe home for your children
during the holidays, have you been
naughty or nice?
Lori Marques and
Lisa Carter are moms and authors of
Paranoid Sisters™ Child Safety Made Easy (Screamin Mimi Publications).
Disclaimer: 'Early Learning' Parenting Resource, including its primer and parenting guide, is a website that hosts internet publications for the dissemination of trends in education and is for informational purposes only. 'Early Learning' Parenting Resource does not endorse or guarantee the efficacy of information, educational methods, products or learning materials found on this website. Nor does 'Early Learning' Parenting Resource give medical, legal or personal advice.
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