Safety tips for children this season

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be a fun, exciting time. However, holiday decorations, parties and cold weather can pose threats to children.

“The décor, the gifts and the fun outdoor activities can be a lot of fun for families, especially children,” said Peter Reisner, M.D., a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in Chetek, Wis. “But parents should be aware of the hidden dangers they may not be thinking about when putting up the Christmas tree or heading out for an afternoon of sledding.”

Dr. Reisner recommends these safety tips while preparing for the holidays:

1. Manage your Christmas tree. If you have a real tree, ensure 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 equally distribute weight.

2. Keep flames away. Don’t leave children alone in a room with lighted candles, matches, lighters, fireplaces, or any other sources of flame or heat.

3. Watch for tempting seasonal decor. Keep decorations out of reach of children and secured to wall. Any object small enough to fit through a toilet paper tube can obstruct a child’s airway. Closely supervise children if they’re helping you decorate, especially when handling lighting, ornaments and breakable objects.

4. Keep plants out of little hands. Keep mistletoe, holly berries and poinsettias out of reach of children, as each is toxic when ingested.

5. Remember electricity safety. Use power strips with built-in circuit breakers. Avoid putting too many plugs into one outlet. Keep cords out of the way or behind furniture, and insert electrical outlet covers into unused outlets. Purchase lights with the UL Listed mark, which certifies that the product has been tested to meet safety requirements.