The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare’s WIC and Maternal and Child Health teams, are highlighting National Safe Toys and Celebrations Month this December. As holiday festivities ramp up, officials urge families to take extra precautions. Simple measures such as keeping holiday plants and small decorations out of children’s reach, using fire-retardant trees, safeguarding open flames, and choosing age-appropriate toys are crucial for preventing seasonal accidents. Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Supervisor, said, “It’s important to think about safety even during the holidays. Carefully inspecting your home and taking care of any safety hazards can ensure you and your children have a happy, safe holiday season.” For further tips on keeping your celebrations safe, visit www.henrystarkhealth.com or connect on their social media platforms.
The Health Department encourages you to keep these safety tips in mind while preparing for the holidays:
- If you have a real tree, make sure the tree stand is always filled with water so the tree doesn’t dry out and pose an increased fire hazard. If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it is made from fire-retardant material. Make sure the stand is flat on the ground, and decorate the tree to distribute weight.
- Do not leave children alone in a room with lighted candles, matches, lighters, fireplaces, or any other sources of flame or heat.
- Keep decorations out of reach of children and secured to the wall. Any object small enough to fit through a toilet paper tube can obstruct the airway of a child.
- Keep mistletoe, holly berries, and poinsettias out of reach of children, as each is toxic when ingested.
- Closely supervise your child if he or she is helping you decorate, especially when handling lighting, ornaments, and breakable objects.
- Purchase lights with the UL Listed mark, which certifies that the product has been tested to meet safety requirements.
- Make sure your children’s toys are age-appropriate, and the batteries cannot be easily removed. Batteries shaped like disks, or button batteries, pose a choking risk to young children.
- Avoid placing gifts under the tree that contain glass, perfume or cologne, poisonous substances, or sharp materials.
- Keep alcohol out of reach of children. Quickly clean up leftover drinks.
- Dress your child properly for the weather, making sure that their hands, feet, and head are covered.
- Supervise children and make sure they wear the correct safety gear for sledding, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and other outdoor activities.
