It’s the most HAZARDOUS time of the year…
The holiday season is among us which brings more visitors into your homes and extra busyness which can lead to less “close monitoring” of kiddos. Kids are curious by nature and with all the lights, smells and pretty colors a lot of things end up in their mouths.
TIPS to Be Aware:
More traffic in your house can bring in little rocks and pebbles, frequent vacuuming is a must!
Keep holiday plants out of reach, mistletoe and holly berries are especially dangerous if ingested.
Ribbon, wrapping paper, tape, tinsel etc can all pose choking hazards.
Be mindful of ALL the additional cords and electrical outlets.
Keep gates in front of the Christmas tree and fireplaces.
Bowls or plates with little hard candies.
Make sure that purses and jackets of ALL your visitors are placed UP HIGH and out of reach of children. Remind guests to not leave pills out on nightstands or out of their containers(looks like candy).
Do not leave alcohol out on tables, end tables or low tables in general.
Check your fire alarms and carbon monoxide monitors BEFORE using your fireplace or any propane heaters.
Candles, hot wax and air fresheners smell inviting, BEWARE.
Dishwasher and laundry detergent pods look like candy.
Holidays bring out the pretty ornate table clothes that hang off the table; they are usually the perfect height for little hands to grab and pull everything off the table on to THEM!
Batteries are EVERYWHERE! Toys, decorations, hearing aids, remote controls, singing greeting cards, toothbrushes, flashing shoes, etc all have batteries. Small button batteries are very easy for kids to swallow.
According to Dr. Keith Boesem, Director of the Poison and Drug Information Center at the University of Arizona, “there are around 3,500 incidents with batteries every year. Batteries stuck in the esophagus must be removed as quickly as possible as severe burns and damage can occur in as little as 2 hours.” If a battery is swallowed call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 202-625-3333, immediately. For more information on battery ingestion check out http://www.poison.org/battery
Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
PLEASE be extra careful and take extra precautions to keep your home and everyone safe this holiday season!