Top tips to keep your holidays hazard free

The holidays can be a joyous time with friends and family but remember to keep safety a priority. Below are some safety tips to keep in mind during this time of year:

• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.

• Young children can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.

• Children can have serious stomach and intestinal problems - including death -- after swallowing button batteries and magnets. In addition to toys, button batteries are often found in musical greeting cards, remote controls, hearing aids and other small electronics. Keep them away from young children and call your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one.

• Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots like unlocked cabinets, unattended purses, accessible cleaning or laundry products, stairways, or hot radiators.

• Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child’s stress levels. Trying to stick to your child’s usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.

• Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.

• When using a space heater, be sure to keep anything flammable at least 3ft away from the heater.

• Check all tree lights--even if you’ve just purchased them--before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.

• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

• Be sure to water your fresh tree daily.

For more information CPR/First Aid training and/or how to be prepared for general emergencies, call us at 925-803-1600 or www.americansafetyacademy.org