Safety is the Key to Happy Holidays

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month. It is an important time to focus on putting safety first when buying toys, decorating for the holidays, and even cooking. There are a surprising number of holiday-related hazards. I have reviewed information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and would like to share some of this important information with you as you are entering this holiday season.

In 2023 almost 155,000 children 12 or younger were treated in emergency rooms due to toy-related injuries, and 10 children died in toy-related incidents (based on CPSC’s annual report).

• Choking on small balls or crayons
• Drownings linked to flotation toys
• Entrapment inside a toy chest
• Ingestion of water beads

• Be vigilant about where gifts are purchased, especially online. Only buy from a trusted source.
• Follow age guidance and other safety information on toy packaging.
• Choose toys that match each child’s interests and abilities.
• If you are buying a scooter or other riding toy, the gift should include a helmet and other safety gear, and you should make sure children use them every time.
• Remember that most toys labeled as “educational” really aren’t! For a child’s development:
  • Old-fashioned board games or card games that include human interaction are far better than electronic games.
  • A person reading a book is vastly better than a toy that reads a story.
  • Unstructured and social play with family and friends is far more educational for young children than any “educational” game on a tablet or computer.
• When shopping for young children, get back to basics with some traditional toys, such as:
  • Dolls, action figures, and toy cars or planes – Pretending and using their imagination with these types of toys is a large part of a child’s social and emotional development.
  • Blocks, shapes, puzzles, and trains – These toys can help children develop fine motor, language, math, and problem solving skills, and promote brain development.
  • Push and pull toys, tricycles, and balls (2 inches or larger) – Help with physical development and more.
  • Coloring books are great for creative development – Just buy larger crayons for kids under 3 and be sure to remove crayons from the box when they get small enough to become a choking hazard (less than 2 inches).

• Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than 3.
• Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8.
• Once the gifts are open, immediately discard plastic wrappings and other packaging. A plastic bag, packing peanuts, and lots of other packaging can become a dangerous plaything before you know it.

• Make sure a live Christmas tree has plenty of water throughout the season.
• When buying an artificial tree, look for a “Fire Resistant” label.
• Keep walkways clear of tripping hazards, such as cords and decorations.
• Be careful on stools and ladder.
• Never leave burning candles unattended. Keep them away from flammable items. Try using flameless candles instead. They look pretty real now!
• Never string more than 3 sets of incandescent lights together, and never overload electrical outlets.

• Never leave cooking food unattended, on the stove or in the oven, even for a minute!
• Never use a turkey fryer inside or anywhere near a house. Not in a garage (even detached) or on the porch, even if the weather is terrible!
• Know ahead of time if any of your guests have food allergies.
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Do not keep leftovers for more than 4 days and reheat them to 165 degrees F before eating them.