The holidays are an exciting time of year for all family members. To help ensure a safe holiday season, Dave Reed Insurance, the Peace of Mind People, has compiled some home safety suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatrics. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

              Trees

·      When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the “Fire Resistant” label.

·      When purchasing a live tree, check that needles are hard to pull from branches, twigs should bend and not break and sticky resin should be visible on the trunk butt.

·      Keep trees away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Close air vents around tree when setting up at home.

·      Cut a few inches off trunk butt to help absorption of water placed in tree stand.

Lights

·      Check all lights for frayed wires, broken sockets, loose connections and burned out bulbs.

·      Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

·      Before using lights outdoors, make sure they have been certified for outdoor use. Mount them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks.

·      Plug outdoor lights into circuits with ground fault interrupters.

·      Turn off lights when you go to bed or leave the house. Shorted lights could start a fire.Decorations

·      Use only non-combustible or flame resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles made of plastic or nonleaded metals.

·      Never use lighted candles on a tree. Place candles in not-flammable holders and away from places where they can be knocked over.

·      Avoid using decorations that can be broken or have small removable parts that can become choking hazards.

·      Remove all wrapping materials after opening from tree and fireplace areas to avoid choking, suffocation or fires. Don’t burn them in the fireplace.

Toys

·      Select toys to suit the age, abilities and interest level of the intended child.

·      Read the instructions before allowing your child to play with what he/she has received.

·      Don’t give children under the age of ten a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Select battery operated ones.

·      Keep button batteries and magnets away from young children to avoid swallowing. Serious stomach and intestinal distress – even death – can occur. Notify your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one.

                 Visiting

·      Clean up immediately after a holiday party to remove choking hazards as well as alcohol or tobacco products.

·      Keep an eye out for danger spots. Not all homes you visit may be childproofed.

·      Keep a list of emergency phone numbers handy including the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the national Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222. Laminating it will help keep it from being torn or damaged.

·      Try to stick to your child’s regular routine of sleeping and eating to reduce stress.

Shopping

·      If possible, leave children with a baby-sitter while you are shopping.

·      Keep a close eye on children if you do take them shopping.

·      Teach your children to go to the store clerk or security guard if they ever get separated from you. Be sure they know their first and last name so they can tell someone who they are. Learning your address set to a music jingle will help them remember.

·      Children under the age of four years should be kept in a stroller.

·      Children in a shopping cart should be properly seated and belted in the child carrier area at all times – never let your child stand in or push a shopping cart.

·      Establish the rule “NO whining and NO crying or we go home immediately.” You will only need to enforce it once.

Food Safety

·      Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.

·      Wash cutting boards and preparation surfaces between uses, especially after raw meat is handled.

·      Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child’s exploring hands.

·      All family members should wash their hands frequently.

·      Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.

·      Always keep raw and cooked foods separate, and use separate utensils in preparation.

·      Thaw meat in the refrigerator, not on the countertop.

·      Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Tags: Dave Reed Insurance, Emergency Preparations, travel tips

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