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Safety Tips 

The following tips—provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, National SAFE KIDS Campaign, and other safety organizations—can help you and your family have a safe holiday season.

Deck the halls…safely.

• Place Christmas trees and other greenery away from fireplaces and radiators. Keep tree stands filled with water—dried out Christmas trees are a fire hazard.
• Check each set of tree lights for frayed wires, broken bulbs, and loose connections. Throw away damaged sets. Never string more than three sets of lights on an extension cord, and never run cords or strings of lights behind drapes or under carpets. Turn lights off when you go to bed or leave the house. 
• Place lit menorahs and other candles away from decorations and drapes. Place candles out of children's reach and where pets can't knock them over. Blow out all candles before going to bed or leaving the house.
• If you have small children, avoid sharp or breakable decorations. Keep tinsel and other small trimmings out of children's reach. Avoid using decorations that look like candy or food—they may tempt a child to eat them.
• Use caution when decorating with spun-glass "angel hair" or "bubble lights." They can cause injury if they are swallowed. Only use spray snow that's labeled nontoxic. 
• Keep holiday plants away from children and pets. Mistletoe, holly berries, and Christmas cactus are poisonous if swallowed. Poinsettias can cause stomach irritation in humans, and they can make pets very sick.

Shop ‘til you drop.

• Help keep your children safe while shopping.

• Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated. 
• Keep children under age 4 in a stroller or supervise them closely. 
• If you place your child in a shopping cart, always use the safety belt. Stay close to the cart. Never let your child stand in or push a shopping cart.

• Don't be an easy victim for violent crime. 

• Stay alert at all times and pay attention to your surroundings. 
• Park in a well-lit space away from decorative bushes. Lock your car, roll up the windows, and hide packages in the trunk or under a blanket. Be especially alert in parking decks and underground garages. 
• Don't overload yourself with packages. 
• Have your car keys in hand before heading to the parking lot. 

• Be careful when riding on escalators. 

• Make sure no one in your group has loose shoe laces, drawstrings, scarves, or mittens that could get trapped in the escalator. 
• Hold your child's hand, face forward, and keep feet away from the edge of the steps. 
• Never bring strollers, carts, or walkers on an escalator. 

• Where possible, cross the street at designated crosswalks. Before you step off the curb, make sure approaching vehicles have come to a complete stop.

The joy of giving.

• Make sure the toys you give children are safe for them. Read package labels and follow age recommendations. 

• Do not give children under age 3 toys that contain small or metal parts or toys that break easily. 
• Do not give children under age 8 toys that have sharp edges, points, or heating elements. 
• Avoid toys that shoot small objects into the air. 
• Avoid toys that make loud or shrill noises

• Include helmets and other protective gear (such as elbow, knee, and wrist pads) when giving bicycles, skates, or skateboards.
• If you're considering buying your child a BB or pellet gun, make sure your child knows the proper way to use it. Supervise your children when they use these guns. 
• Do not throw gift wrappings in the fireplace. They can cause a flash fire. Throw away all toy packaging right away so it doesn't become a choking or suffocation hazard. 
• Keep batteries away from children. They are toxic if swallowed.

Over the river and through the woods…

• When you leave the house, turn off all tree lights and blow out all candles. 
• Buckle your seatbelt every time you drive or ride in a car. Whether you're traveling by car or plane, make sure your child is buckled in a safety seat, booster seat, or seatbelt. 
• Avoid driving in snowy or icy weather. If that's not possible, drive slowly. It takes longer to stop on wet or icy roads. 
• Remember that homes you visit may not be child-proofed. Ask to move breakable or dangerous items out of children's reach. If the host's home has stairs, bring a safety gate. 
• When staying overnight, bring outlet covers and check that cabinets are free of toxic items or have safety latches. 
• When visiting friends or relatives who have a dog, let the dog sniff you before you try to pet it. Do not leave your child alone with the dog. 
• Never drive after you drink or use drugs.

Eat, drink, and be safe.

• When hosting a holiday party or feast, follow some basic safety tips to prevent injuries. 

• Turn handles of pots and pans on the stove inward so children can't reach them. Use the back burners, if possible. 
• Keep knives and other sharp utensils away from children. 
• Keep hot foods and drinks away from table and counter edges. 
• Never hold a child while you're carrying hot foods or drinks or while you're cooking. 

• Offer plenty of nonalcoholic drink alternatives. Keep all drinks—alcoholic or not—away from children. 
• Do not place candy, chocolates, or other treats within children's reach. 
• Clean up right after a meal or party. Children can choke on leftover food or be exposed to alcohol or tobacco. 
• Don't let any of your guests drive home if they've been drinking.

Who Is Affected?

Many of the deaths and injuries that occur between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day are directly related to holiday festivities.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 598 people died in traffic crashes during Thanksgiving weekend in 1998. On the days surrounding Christmas that year, 364 died; 545 died on or around New Year's Day. About 50 percent of these deaths were related to alcohol. The number of crash-related injuries is much higher. In 1997, in just one state, 920 people were injured in traffic crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday, and 778 were injured at Christmas.

Holiday decorations make a home look festive, but improper use can result in injuries, deaths, and property loss. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 1,300 people are treated each year in emergency departments for injuries related to holiday lights, and another 6,200 are treated for injuries related to holiday decorations and Christmas trees. Holiday lights cause about 510 fires each year, and Christmas trees are involved in about 400 fires. Candles are also a major cause of fire-related deaths. The National Fire Protection Association reported 156 deaths in 1997 from home fires started by candles. In addition to these deaths, more than $170 million in property losses was attributed to candles. About one-sixth of fires started by candles occur in December.

Many injuries occur to both adults and children on shopping trips. Each year, about 21,000 children age 5 and under are treated in emergency departments for injuries associated with shopping carts. Escalators, found in almost every shopping mall, are associated with about 6,000 injuries each year, according to the CPSC. Violent crimes can also result in injuries, and the 1995 National Crime Victimization Survey found that 12 percent of violent crimes occurred in commercial establishments. Eight percent occurred in parking lots and garages.

Toys are the gift of choice for many children, but when they are inappropriate for a child’s age, they can be dangerous. In 1996, the CPSC reported 13 toy-related deaths. About 110,000 children under age 15 were treated in emergency departments for toy-related injuries; more than half of them were under age 5. The Child Safety Protection Act requires manufacturers to include safety warnings on toy labels to help prevent injuries. Parents and others buying toys for children must follow these warnings. Some toys are associated with a high injury rate, and parents must provide close supervision and instructions for proper use in order to prevent a toy-related injury. For example, each year about 30,000 people—80 percent of whom are age 19 or under—are treated in emergency departments for injuries related to BB and pellet guns.

Safety Resources 

AAP's toy safety guidelines are available on the web at http://www.aap.org. To request information by phone, call 847-228-5097.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC has a number of materials relevant to holiday safety:

• Holiday Safety Tips for Avoiding Fires and Injuries www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml99/99029.html
• Safety Alert: Escalator Safety www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5111.html
• Toy Safety Tips www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml98/98031.html www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/grand/toy/toysafe.html. 

You can also call CPSC at 800-638-2772.

National Crime Prevention Council

This organization, home of McGruff the Crime Dog, offers holiday safety information on the web at www.ncpc.org/xmas.htm.

National Fire Protection Agency

NFPA's Sparky the Fire Dog provides fire safety information for the whole family at www.sparky.org. Or call NFPA at 617-984-7275.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA has information on winter driving (www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hot/winter/winter2.html and on winter walking) safety (www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hot/winter/winter.htm).

References 

CDC. BB and pellet gun-related injuries–United States, June 1992-May 1994. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1995;44(49):909-9013.

CDC. Toy-related injuries among children and teenagers–United States, 1996. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1997;46(50):1185-1189.

Fields G. Increase in Fatal Candle Blazes Alarm Officials. USA Today 1999 November 18; Section D:2.

Georgia Department of Public Safety. GSP Predicts 38 Traffic Fatalities for Holiday Periods (news release), December 15, 1998.

Georgia Department of Public Safety. Heavy Traffic Patrols Set for Thanksgiving Holiday Period (news release), November 17, 1998.

Kaarlala C. California Poison Control System Experts Urge Holiday Caution (press release), December 11, 1997.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts 1998. Washington, DC: The Administration; 1999:33.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumer Product Safety Alert: Escalator safety (CPSC document #5111). Available at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5111.html. Accessed November 15, 1999.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC Releases Holiday Safety Tips for Avoiding Fires and Injuries (press release), November 30, 1998.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC Releases Toy Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers (press release), November 24, 1997.

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