10 Holiday Tips to Keep Kids Safe

Here are 10 important tips to keep youngsters safe this holiday season.

1. Young hands and mouths love lights, ribbons, tinsel, and tree decorations. Keep an eye out for loose or low hanging items, so they don’t become choking hazards.

2. When wrapping gifts, throw away staples and plastic wrapping that can suffocate a child.

3. Test all your children’s new toys before they play with them. Check them for loose parts, rough edges or small parts that children can chew or break off.

4. Plants such as holly and mistletoe are poisonous. Make sure to keep them far out of children’s reach.

5. Keep trees (and other combustibles) away from ignition sources, such as fireplaces, space heaters, candles, and radiators. These are all in a child’s reach.

6. Make certain the tree’s base is steady, so children won’t be able to tip the tree over.

7. Place older ornaments and decorations that may be painted with lead paint far out of reach of small children and pets.

8. Never leave lighted candles on a tablecloth that can be pulled by a toddler.

9. Keep all cleaning supplies away from your child. It’s easy to be distracted, especially if parents are hurrying to get ready for guests in the house.

10. Inspect all Christmas lights for frayed wires. If children touch them, they can easily get shocked.

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