|
HOLIDAY SAFETY ADVICE
The holiday season is a wonderful time for children and families. However, it also can be unsafe - and even deadly - for children. The following advice will help parents and other caregivers ensure that this holiday season is a safe one.
Toy safety
Choose toys that are appropriate for your child's age.
If you have children under age four, buy a small parts tester.
A toy that fits in the tester could be a choking hazard. Testers are available at toy and baby specialty stores.
Check with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for product recalls. Call 1 (800) 638-2772 or visit www.cpsc.gov.
Fire safety
Check smoke alarms and replace batteries over six months old.
Replace any non-working alarms and never disconnect an alarm.
Do not leave space heaters on unsupervised or overnight.
Water Christmas trees daily and keep them away from heat
sources.
Do not overload electrical outlets with appliances or holiday
lights.
Develop and practice a family escape plan that includes a
meeting place outside the home.
Poison prevention
Keep all plants and berries out of children's reach.
Keep all medications away from children.
To reduce the chance of food poisoning, keep cold foods cold
and hot foods hot.
Contact the Georgia Poison Center at (404) 616-9000 or
1 (800) 222-1222 about poison prevention or a possible poisoning.
Travel safety
In cars and vans, properly restrain children under age five in a
safety or booster seat as required by Georgia law.
Keep infants facing to the rear until 12 months old and 20
pounds.
Secure children under 4 feet 9 inches tall and under 80 pounds
in a booster seat, rather than a safety belt.
Children ages 12 and under are safest in the back seat.
Make sure everyone is securely buckled in a seat belt or child
safety seat, even when traveling short distances.
For more information on injury prevention, visit the following web sites: www.safekids.org (National SAFE KIDS Campaign) and www.nhtsa.dot.gov (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). You can also contact Janet Weisman, SAFE KIDS of DeKalb coordinator, DeKalb County Board of Health, at (404) 294-3719 or jeweisman@gdph.state.ga.us. For information on other Board of Health programs and services, call (404) 294-3700 or visit www.dekalbhealth.net.
###
|
