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Tips from Santa Dave.....
So quick, take down the
witch and the goblins and pull out your tinsel and mistle toe! But first, lets take a few moments before the hustle and bustle
begins and turn our attention to toys, Santa and yummy treats. Often parents and caregivers give little thought to the dangers
that lurk around the Christmas tree, in candy dishes and luggage of visiting family and friends. This year when preparing
your home for the holidays or when welcoming traveling visitors be sure to: Decorate your Christmas tree appropriately for
your child's age. Children who are still "mouthing" items may put ornaments in their mouths. Put glass bulbs, lights, tinsel
and ornaments that are delicate or have removable parts out of reach. Remember that popcorn is a choking hazard for children
under age 5. You could place the tree on top of a table (no table cloth) or put a safety fence around it. Designate a responsible
adult to unplug all lights before bed time or leaving the house (blow out all candles (menorah) also). Last year the day after
Christmas we read about at least six fires believed to be related to the Christmas tree or other flammable/electrical decorations.
The homes were destroyed, but more tragically many lives were lost.
Resolve that some decorations may have to wait
until next year.
Depending on your child's age you may have to keep your favorite decorations boxed this year or up
high where they can't reach them. Lori has one of those Santa's that holds a light and plays various holiday tunes. Her son,
who last year was one year old, could not keep his chubby little fingers off it, so rather than constantly harp about it,
she opted to put it away. We'll see how it goes this year.
Have visitors put luggage and purses up high where they
can't be reached.Often, grandparents carry medication in luggage; ask them to store it with your other medications (locked
and out of reach).
Hard candies and nuts which are often set out for visitors are also choking hazards for children
under age 5.
Holiday meal preparation needs special attention too.
Designate one adult to keep all children
out of the kitchen. With heavy dishes and hot pots of water, knives and turkeys being moved around, this is not the place
for a little one to be visiting. Many children suffer permanent scars from being burned with scalding water. Empty alcohol
from abandoned glasses so little ones won't be tempted to drink from them.
Nobody knows how advanced our children
are as we do.
They are by far the most intelligent creatures ever birthed. Regardless of your feelings about your
child's intelligence and abilities, it's best to stick with toys that are age appropriate for your child or any child you're
buying for. Check out the age recommendations on the packaging to be sure your child falls in that range. That number is determined
based on several factors, one of which is safety. Many times we are tempted to buy things that are beyond our child's age,
because those toys appear to be more fun (let's face it, the kid will have more fun playing with the box and wrapping than
the actual gift), however, a majority of toys for children over three come with lots of little pieces that are a danger to
infants and toddlers.
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