This season, give little ones the gift of safety and kid-proof your merrymaking with these quick, easy tips.
1. Deck the halls with kid-safe baubles.
Flickering candles can warm tiny bodies and hearts of a cold winter’s night, but consider switching to the wick-less, electronic variety when small children are underfoot. Many flameless LED candles flicker just like the real thing and come available in classic holiday scents. Ensure your tree is hazard-free by hanging breakable ornaments on top branches and keeping the tree stand filled with water at all times to avoid drying.
Look for the “Underwriters Laboratory” (UL) label on any indoor lights you hang, which indicates fire resistance, and check those strands each year for frayed or open wires – cats and rats can do a number on stored light strings in the off-season. Use caution when decorating with artificial snow and angel hair; to little eyes (and pets) it may look a lot like spun sugar.
2. By gosh, by golly, rethink that mistletoe and holly.
No holiday party feels complete without a cheerful sprig of mistletoe hanging over the threshold, but did you know that many popular holiday plants can be poisonous if ingested by children? On the danger list: mistletoe berries, holly berry, amaryllis, poinsettia plants and Jerusalem cherry. It’s easy for small kids to mistake those colorful little berries for the edible variety, so hang your festive winter greenery high out of reach of little hands, or skip it entirely.
Keep in mind, too, that many household holiday trimmings (think potpourri and garlands) can easily be mistaken for edible treats by toddlers.
Related Article: Child and Dog Safety at Holiday Gatherings
3. Keep those chestnuts roasting on a closely monitored fire.
The holidays are a great time for getting kids into the kitchen to help out with meal prep and baking, but close cooking supervision is a seasonal must. Start with simple recipes, delegating prep activities to younger kids and oven/stove duty to older kids. Never remove hot food from the oven or stove when holding a child.
Instead, clear the kitchen of little helpers when things get hectic and impart a lesson in year-round cooking safety by teaching children to double-check that all burners and ovens are off when the cooking’s through.
4. Dash safely through the snow.
Long car rides in cold, icy conditions can be taxing for kids and parents alike and the risk of accidents is elevated in wintry weather. Smooth the path by thinking ahead. Check that your child’s car or booster seat is still the proper size, and still properly installed. A “Safe Kids” car seat checkup is always a good idea.
Find locations here: http://www.safekids.org/events/field_type/check-event.
Remember, the back seat of a moving car is no place to change diapers, serve meals, or stretch out cramped-up muscles. Anticipate restlessness during long trips and schedule in regular stretching and snack breaks.
For help with pit stop planning, download the “USA Rest Stops” app for your smartphone. It will point you to a nearby rest stop or service plaza from anywhere in the US.
Sources:
Safekids.org - http://www.safekids.org
Centers for Disease Control - http://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday/
Electrical Safety Foundation International - http://esfi.org/index.cfm/page/Kids-and-Cooking-Safety-Holiday-2012/cdid/12730/pid/11406
USA Rest Stops App - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/usa-rest-stops/id528988698?mt=8