by Tracey Warren, Child Safe Canada National Director of Injury Prevention and Education
The holiday season is a magical time, but it can also be a risky one for little explorers. Child Safe Canada wants to remind families that poisoning incidents increase during the holidays. The good news is that most of these accidents are preventable with a few simple safety steps. Let’s make this holiday season joyful and safe.
Ensure this holiday season is the most enjoyable and safest ever. Safety proofing your home, or areas within your host’s home, takes only a few minutes and provides priceless comfort and safety.
Stay Vigilant During the Busy Holiday Season. We know the holidays are busy with meals to prepare, guests to entertain, and gifts to wrap. But small distractions can lead to big mishaps. Slow down, take a breath, and focus on potential hazards, especially when little ones are around.
- Batteries – A swallowed battery can cause severe airway burns. Keep all items with batteries, including button-type batteries, out of reach, and ensure battery doors are secured well.
- Bags – Guests’ handbags and suitcases may contain medications, cosmetics, nail products, perfumes, and other poisonous products. Ask guests to store these items out of reach for children.
- Decorations – Holiday decorations may look fun, but many are choking or strangulation hazards for children. Keep fragile ornaments, small pieces, and strings or ribbons out of reach, and supervise little ones around holiday decor.
Be Aware of Sneaky Poisons. Here is a simple rule: If you would not serve it on a dinner plate, treat it as a poison. Even tiny amounts of make-up, cigarettes, or certain plants can land a toddler in the emergency room.
- Fluids – Move antifreeze, windshield washer fluids, bleach, detergents, and other cleaning products out of sight and reach.
- Plants – Check the safety of holiday plants and flowers online or via your local poison control site before decorating.
- Alcohol – Keep alcoholic drinks out of reach of children.
Travelling? Talk Safety with Your Host. Visiting relatives or friends can be tricky if their home is not child proofed. Take charge of your child’s safety while travelling. Be diligent in safety-proofing the space you’re staying in, secure anything that could be hazardous, and keep a close, watchful eye on your child. Have a friendly conversation about your child’s safety.
- Do a safety check/proof together with your host and ask them to identify any areas that should be off-limits to your child.
- Ask that all medications, cleaning supplies, and other hazardous items be stored in locked cupboards.
- Set clear rules and boundaries for your child in the host’s home (if age appropriate), and make sure everyone, hosts included, understands them to keep expectations consistent and the child safe.
A few minutes of preparation can prevent accidents and keep your family safe and healthy. Make this holiday season the safest and most enjoyable ever.
