According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) latest Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries report, there were 11 deaths and an estimated 145,500 emergency department-treated (ED) injuries in 2022 associated with toys for children 12 years and younger. Jennifer Taylor, manager of Safe Kids Mid-South and Injury Prevention at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has important tips on keeping kids safe this holiday season.
Families everywhere are looking forward to some well-earned relaxation, peace and joy this holiday season. Unfamiliar toys and holiday travel can come with many unforeseen hazards, however. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) latest Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries report, there were 11 deaths and an estimated 145,500 emergency department-treated (ED) injuries in 2022 associated with toys for children 12 years and younger. “Throughout the busyness of the holiday season, it’s so important to plan ahead and remain aware of common hazards,” said Jennifer Taylor, manager of Safe Kids Mid-South and Injury Prevention at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. “That way, we can easily anticipate and identify hazards to help keep our kids safe.” This month, Taylor is sharing some proven and practical tips to keep kids safe and to give parents some peace of mind during the holidays.
On the Road
• Buckle up every ride, every time. Whether it’s the long trip to visit family or around the block to the mall, it is imperative that everyone in the vehicle is secured properly.
• Check your child’s car seat or booster before holiday travel. Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so check it before you hit the road. If you are having even the slightest trouble, questions or concerns, certified child passenger safety technicians are available to help or even double check your work. To have your child’s car seat checked, contact Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Jennifer Taylor, manager of Injury Prevention and Safe Kids Mid-South at 901-287-6730.
• Keep an eye out for distracted pedestrians and drivers who may not be paying attention to you, especially when backing out of parking spaces. Shopping center parking lots are busier during the holidays.
• Remind your teen driver to be extra alert during this holiday season when conditions are more challenging even for experienced drivers.
• Be a good role model by avoiding distractions. Commit to keeping your phone down. No text message or play list is worth the risk.
In the Home
• Keep medicine out of reach and sight of children, even medicine you take every day. Dispose of expired and unwanted medication laying around the home and in medicine cabinets.
• Guns must also be stored securely – unloaded, locked, and separated from ammunition – to keep them out of children’s reach and sight. Leaving guns unsecured – on a nightstand, table, or other place where a child can gain access – can lead to injuries and fatalities.
• When cooking, create a kid-free zone. Teach younger children to stay at least 3 feet away from your cooking space. Keep hot foods and liquids out of children’s reach. Cook on the back burners of the stove and keep hot foods away from the edge of your counters to prevent burns.
• Be aware of the hidden dangers around water beads. The danger is that young kids may be tempted to ingest water beads and may even mistake them as candy. They may also place them in their ears or nose where they can grow and cause harm. Once ingested they can expand and cause life-threatening intestinal blockages.
Holiday Gift Giving
• Read instructions and warning labels when choosing toys for children. Make sure the toy or game is appropriate for your child’s age and development.
• Separate toys by age. Toys intended for older children may contain small pieces, including button batteries that can pose a risk to curious, younger siblings.
• Don’t forget a helmet. If you are giving a bike, skateboard or scooter this holiday season, be sure to include a helmet to keep them safe while they’re having fun.
• Stay up to date on toy recalls. Safe Kids Worldwide compiles product recalls specific to children and sends monthly email alerts for recent recalls.
Holiday Decorations
• Keep harmful plants out of reach. Some popular holiday plants are poisonous to children and pets, including mistletoe and holly berries. In a poison emergency, call the national Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
• Be aware of any devices with small, round button batteries in your home. They pose a serious choking hazard and can be deadly if swallowed. Keep decorations with button batteries, such as greeting cards and small remote controls out of children’s reach.
Fire Prevention
• Water natural trees regularly. When needles are dry, they can catch fire easily.
• Turn off decorative lights before leaving home or going to sleep. Regularly check lights for exposed or frayed wires and loose connections.
• Keep candles and matches out of reach. Lit candles should be at least 12 inches away from anything flammable. Do not forget to extinguish any candles or fires when you leave the room or before you go to sleep. Store matches and lighters should also be kept out of children’s reach and sight.
• Check all smoke alarms. Make sure there is a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and near sleeping areas. Review your fire escape plan with family members and guests.
Local numbers in case there is an emergency:
1. Tennessee Poison Control Hotline 1-800-222-1222
2. Police Department/Fire Department: Call 9-1-1
For more tips and resources to keep kids safe from injuries, please visit www.lebonheur.org/safekids.
About Le Bonheur Children’s
Le Bonheur Children’s, based in Memphis, Tenn., provides expert care for children in more than 45 pediatric subspecialties, encompassing robust community programs, a pediatric research institute and regional outpatient centers in Jackson, Tenn., Tupelo, Miss., and Jonesboro, Ark.
Le Bonheur also features a 255-bed hospital in Memphis and a 21-bed satellite hospital within Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn. As the primary pediatric teaching affiliate for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur trains more than 350 pediatricians and specialists each year. Nationally recognized, Le Bonheur has been named a U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospital for 12 consecutive years and is a Magnet-designated facility, the ultimate credential for high-quality patient care and nursing excellence.
For more information, please call (901) 287-6030 or visit lebonheur.org
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