Safety Tips

Safety Tips for your kids at Home.

 

Decorate Your Tree With Your Kids in Mind

1. Kids are curious and will want to play with the ornaments on the tree, so you might as well prepare. Move the ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks toward the top of the tree. That makes room at the bottom for the ones that are safer for young kids. The safety of the kids is important.

Water the Tree Regularly

1. Natural trees look beautiful and smell great, but if they’re not watered regularly, needles can dry out and pose a potential fire hazard. Make sure your tree has plenty of water by checking it regularly. This shows you are safety conscious.

Check the Lights

1. Lights are one of the best parts of holiday decoration but safety must be a priority to avoid electric shock. Take a look at the ones on your tree and in and around your home for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.

Blow Out Candles and Store Matches Out of Reach

1. Keep holiday candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and don’t forget to blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep. For everyone’s safety, lit your candle on a stand or on a wide metallic object.
2. Make a habit of placing matches and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys.

Keep Harmful Plants Out of Reach

1. Plants can spruce up your holiday decorating, but keep those that may be poisonous out of reach of children or pets. This includes mistletoe berries, holly berry, and Jerusalem cherry.
2. In a poison emergency, call the doctor.

Find the Perfect Toy for the Right Age

1. Consider your child’s age when purchasing a toy or game this holiday season. It’s worth a second to read the instructions and warning labels to make sure the gift is just right from safety angles.
2. Before you’ve settled on the perfect toy, check to make sure there aren’t any small parts or other potential choking hazards.

Keep Button Batteries Away from Young Kids

1. Keep a special eye on small pieces, including button batteries that may be included in electronic toys. While these kinds of games are great for older kids, they can pose a potential danger for younger, curious siblings.

Don’t Forget a Helmet for New Bikes or Other Toys

1. If your child’s heart is set on a bike, skateboard or scooter this holiday season, be sure to include a helmet to keep them safe while they’re having fun.

Prevent Spills with Pot Handles

1. Kids love to reach, so to prevent burns from hot holiday food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge.

Avoid Placing Foods on an Open Oven Door

1. Your oven door may not be as strong as you think. To prevent oven tip-overs, place heavy foods or other items on a countertop out of the reach of young children, and not on an open oven door.
2. An anti-tip bracket is a valuable tool to prevent oven tip-overs. If you have one, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install and use properly.

Engage Older Kids in Cooking

1. Teach older responsible kids how to cook safely. Teach them never to leave the kitchen while they’re using the stove or oven. Instruct older kids to use oven mitts or potholders to remove items from the oven or stove and teach them how to use a microwave safely.