By: Judy Patterson
Nutrition/Safety Advisor for Cen-Clear Child Services, Inc.
The holidays can be such a fun, exciting time for children as well as adults. We also want it to be a safe time for our families and can be if we follow some simple rules.
Decorate your tree with your kids in mind. Kids are curious and will want to play with the ornaments on the tree. Move the ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks towards the top of the tree. That makes room at the bottom for the ones that are safer for young kids.
Water the tree regularly. Natural trees look beautiful and smell great, but if they aren’t watered regularly, needles can dry out and pose a potential fire hazard. Make sure your tree has plenty of water.
Check the lights. Lights are one of the best parts of holiday decorating. Take a look at ones on your tree and in and around your home for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.
Blow out candles and store matches out of reach. Keep holiday candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, don’t forget to blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep. Make a habit of placing lighters and matches in a safe place, out of reach of children. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like a toy.
Find the perfect toy for the right age. Consider your child’s age when purchasing a toy this holiday season. It’s worth a second to read the instructions and warning labels to make sure the gift is just right.
Before you have settled on the toy, be sure to check that there aren’t small parts or other potential choking hazards. Keep buttons batteries away from young children. Keep an eye out for small pieces; this includes button batteries that may be included in electronic toys.
While these types of toys are great for older children, they can pose a risk for younger, curious siblings. Don’t forget a helmet for new bikes or other toys. If your child’s heart is set on a bike, skateboard or scooter this holiday season, be sure to include a helmet to keep them safe while they are having fun.
From your friends at Clearfield County Safe Kids Coalition, have a safe and joyous holiday.
Clearfield County Safe Kids coalition is part of Safe Kids Worldwide (http://www.safekids.org/), a global organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children, the number one killer of kids in the United States.
For more information please contact Judy Patterson, nutrition/safety advisor for Cen-Clear, at 814-342-5678, Ext. 2264.
The coalition always welcomes new members and meets the last Tuesday each month at 12 p.m. at Cen-Clear, 50 Bigler Rd., Bigler, PA 16825. Donations to our local Clearfield County Safe Kids Coalition are tax-deductible and can help ensure the word about safe practices can be spread not just during the holiday season, but all year long.
Clearfield County Safe Kids is a co-sponsor of Clearfield County’s Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® held each September, Cen-Clear’s Safety Expo held each October and various other safety events throughout the county.
