Keep Your Kids Safe This Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — until you start to think about seasonal safety hazards like mistletoe (toxic), button batteries (very dangerous when swallowed), and open candle flames. How in the world can parents keep their little ones safe?

At Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, we’re here to help. So follow us in merry measure as we share a few tips for a safe holiday season.

Choose Safety First When Selecting Toys

First and foremost, choose toys that are appropriate for each child’s age, skill level and developmental ability. When shopping for babies and toddlers, remember:

• Toys should be wider than the diameter of a toilet paper tube (about 1.5"). Kids can swallow smaller toys, presenting a choking hazard.
• Ensure toys don’t have sharp ends or small parts that kids can pull loose.
• Steer clear of toys that can pinch little fingers.
• Be especially careful of electronic toys and remote controls with button batteries. If your child swallows a button battery, immediately take them to the emergency department.
• If your kids get a bike, scooter, skateboard or roller skates, they also need a helmet and other protective gear.
• Toys should be sturdy and able to withstand rough play.

Avoid Decorating Disasters

If you enjoy decorating the house with your kids, we salute you. Just be sure to keep these tips in mind.

• Hang breakable decorations, ornaments, lightbulbs and tinsel out of kids’ reach.
• Place hazardous live plants out of reach as well. Amaryllis, holly, mistletoe and poinsettia are toxic for humans (and pets).
• Be careful with aerosol “snow sprays,” which aren’t safe when swallowed. It can also irritate the skin and eyes.

If you think your child ingested a toxic substance, call your doctor or Poison Control at 800-222-1222 right away.

Don’t Set Your Tree on Fire (And Other Tree-Related Tips)

Most of us will never set a Christmas tree ablaze. But it does happen. Between 2016 and 2020, an average of 160 home fires started with Christmas trees every year, according to a 2022 report from the National Fire Protection Association.

Electrical problems with the lights are often to blame. Another culprit is when ornaments hang too close to a heat source, such as a fire, candle or radiator.

Follow these tips when buying and setting up holiday lights:

• Holiday lights should come in a box with a “UL Listed” label, the “seal of approval” by Underwriters Laboratories. UL is a not-for-profit organization that tests and certifies products for safety.
• Inspect indoor and outdoor lights for broken sockets, frayed wires and loose connections.
• Don’t overload outlets with too many electrical devices.
• Turn off holiday lights before leaving the house or going to bed.

Consider these guidelines when you buy and set up your tree.

• Going artificial? Be sure your tree is labeled “fire-retardant.”
  
  
• Buying a live tree?
  • Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
  • Cut off the bottom two inches of the trunk before placing the tree in the stand.
  • Water your tree daily, especially in the first week. A six-foot tree needs about a gallon of water a day.
    
    
• Set up your tree at a safe distance from all heat sources, including electrical outlets, radiators and portable space heaters.

Plan Get-Togethers With Safety in Mind

Family get-togethers and neighborhood parties are fun. But when you invite a crowd into your home:

• Put your guests’ purses, coats and bags where kids can’t get to them. There could be medicines or other hazards hiding inside.
• Remove empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible. Thirsty (or just plain curious) kids could drain the contents. For children, even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous.
• Remember that getting distracted at a festive gathering is easy, especially if you’re the host. Make sure an adult keeps an eye on the kids at all times.

Watch pediatric trauma surgeon, Dr. Oliver Lao, share more holiday safety tips on Joe Ds Instagram.

Run a Tight Ship in the Kitchen

Hot stovetops. Grandma’s china. Sharp knives. What could possibly go wrong when kids are in the kitchen? As any parent can tell you, a lot. Here are a few ways to avoid a trip to urgent care or the emergency department.

• Keep pot handles turned inward. Cook on the back burners only when possible.
• Teach your little ones to stay at least three feet from the oven and stove.
• Keep the kitchen floor and counters clutter-free to avoid falls.
• Keep sharp utensils stored up high and out of the reach of children.
• Don’t forget to turn off the oven, burners, and other cooking devices like crock pots and air fryers.

Don’t Take a Break From Safety This Holiday Season

Checking for loose baby doll eyes and watering your Christmas tree aren’t exactly festive holiday activities. But they will help keep your kids safe. All of us at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital wish you a happy, healthy holiday season!

Accidents and illnesses happen, even when you are careful. We are here for your family with three urgent care centers in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Hialeah. You’ll get prompt care from board-certified physicians. The clinics offer appointments and walk-in services for minor illnesses and injuries.