Holiday Safety Tips

The holidays may be a magical time of year, but they also can be a dangerous time for children. Holiday entertaining, decorations and some gifts can pose a danger to youngsters.

The Center for Injury and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital has compiled a list of important safety tips for parents. Here are some of them:

• Be aware that guests in your home might have cigarettes or medications with them. Make sure to place coats and purses out of reach of children.
• Avoid the temptation to wait until the morning to clean up after a party. Even small amounts of alcohol left in glasses could be very harmful to children and leftover food could be a choking hazard.
• Turn off all lights and blow out candles before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Carefully read the instructions on new toys to make sure they are right for your child's age and abilities.
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and skates can be great gifts. Make sure to buy protective gear, including a well-fitting helmet, if you will be giving a riding toy as a gift.