Christmas Holiday Safety Tips

The holidays are everyone’s favorite time of year.  With the holidays come hazards, Christmas Tree Hazards, Toy Hazards, fire hazards, and road hazards.  We have listed important safety tips to insure a safe holiday for all.  Have a happy and safe holiday from Priority Real Estate.

Trees

• Purchase an artificial tree with a “Fire Resistant Label”
• If your preference is a live tree check for freshness; fresh trees are green and needles are difficult to pick or break from the tree.  A fresh tree has sticky sap at the base and does not shed needles when bumped on the ground.
• Position your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, and portable heaters.  Do not place trees in high traffic areas.  Water the tree daily.
• Cut off an additional half inch from the bottom of the tree prior to setting the tree up, this will allow for better water absorption and a longer lasting fresher tree which will be more fire retardant.
• Dry heat dry’s a tree quickly keep the tree filled with water continuously. 

Lights

• Check all lights to insure they are secured tightly and make sure all wires are not frayed.  
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.  Faulty lights may positively charge the tree and electrocute anyone who touches the tree.
• Make sure all lights used outdoors are certified for outdoor use.  Secure lights with insulated staples to reduce the potential for fire and electric shock.
• When taking the lights down unplug before taking the lights down.  Never pull on the wire to extract the staple use needle nose pliers to extract staples first.
• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house.

Decorations

• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials as tree decorations. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked over.
• 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.  Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.
• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass “angel hair.” Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
• Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened.  These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flame. 

Toy Safety

• Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child.  Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.        
• Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. 
• To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet.  Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
• Children under age three 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.  Keep them away from young children and call your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one.       
• Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. 
• Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
• Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’ toys away from young children.

Food Safety

• Bacteria are often present in raw foods.  Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.
• 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. Be sure that young children cannot access microwave ovens..
• Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same.
• Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.
• Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separately, and use separate utensils when preparing them.
• Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
• Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.    

Party Safely                

• Clean up immediately after a holiday party.  A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.
• Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed.  Keep an eye out for danger spots.
• Keep a list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged by accidental spills.
• 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.

Travel

• Plan trips in advance.  Arrive early and leave early.
• Be cautious of road conditions, remember bridges ice over first.
• Be mindful of other drivers, there are many drivers under the influence this time of year.
• Designate a driver.

Fireplaces

• Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area.  Check to see that the flue is open.
• Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
• Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Source, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) www.aap.org

Toy Safety At The Holidays

The holidays are here and moms and dads are lining up to buy the hot toys for their kids. Here are some important safety tips before you bring home any new toys for your children. First, be sure the toys you select are age appropriate, and are from reputable manufacturers to ensure safe play.

We suggest reading the labels on all stuffed animals, games, dolls or building toys where small pieces may appear. First, look to verify the toy is age appropriate for your child. This is not something to underestimate and can be dangerous if not taken seriously.

When purchasing electonics toys, make sure you see the mark of a recognized testing laboratory like UL. This tells you the toy has been tested for overall child safety before it could be sold to the public.

If you are shopping for a baby or toddler, follow this simple test. Make sure the toy or rattle is at least big enough NOT to fit through a toilet paper roll. This easy test will ensure your children cannot choke on the item. Small toy parts, coins and hard candies are easy for a toddler or baby to swallow, so keep them far away and please try the test above to ensure safety. Also, it is a good idea to keep any small toys, candies etc where your children are not able to see or touch them at all.

Once you select the safest toys for your baby or toddler, make sure to throw away all plastic wrap and any hard plastic containers before gift wrapping and putting it under the tree. You may have children of different ages living in your home, so keep toys and games for your older kids out of the way where little children reach them.

Have a safe, warm and wonderful holiday season!