Mayo Clinic Q and A: Holiday safety

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am internet hosting my prolonged household over the vacations for the primary time in a few years. My great-nephew is 2 years previous and would be the youngest individual in attendance. I shouldn’t have any kids, so I’m not used to having a toddler round. What ought to I do safety-wise to organize for his arrival?

ANSWER: It is great you could host your loved ones gathering this vacation season and welcome younger and previous into your property. The hustle and bustle of the vacation season could be a enjoyable, thrilling time for all.

Whereas internet hosting in and of itself will be hectic, the inclusion of a toddler requires a bit extra preparation, however it should not add too many pointless gadgets to your vacation gathering to-do listing. Speak together with his mother and father about what will likely be wanted for sleeping preparations and feeding. There are corporations that hire gear, corresponding to highchairs, cribs and gates, if you do not have buddies or neighbors to borrow from or if the mother and father are usually not in a position to journey with what he’ll want throughout his keep. Additionally, ask if there are any meals allergic reactions that might have an effect on your menu.

Listed here are different few issues to bear in mind as you put together for visitors, particularly little ones, in your own home this vacation season.

• Handle your Christmas tree. If in case you have an actual tree in your house, be certain that the tree stand is at all times crammed with water so the tree would not dry out and pose an elevated hearth hazard. If you happen to put up a synthetic tree, make certain it’s constructed from fire-retardant materials and the stand is flat on the bottom. Some vacation ornaments are breakable or can pose a choking hazard for youngsters. Put these particular ornaments increased up on the tree so they’re protected from little fingers.
• Preserve flames away. Lighted candles and fireplaces assist give your property a comfy and alluring environment. Shield the baby from potential burns by conserving candles, matches and lighters on increased cabinets or counters. Use a fire display screen to include sparks and flying embers. It additionally helps to maintain kids and pets away from the flames.
• Look ahead to tempting seasonal decor. Sparkly and brightly coloured decorations will be tempting to the touch and discover. You need to count on that your great-nephew will put issues into his mouth as effectively. This helps with sensory motor growth and is regular. Preserve seasonal decorations out of his attain and secured to the wall. Any object sufficiently small to suit by means of a rest room paper tube can hinder an airway, so intently supervise him if the household helps you enhance, particularly when dealing with lighting, ornaments and breakable objects.
• Preserve vegetation out of little fingers. Similar to seasonal decor, be cautious of stay vegetation. Preserve mistletoe, holly berries and poinsettias out of attain of kids. They’re poisonous when ingested.
• Keep in mind electrical energy security. This tip is beneficial no matter age. When powering up your seasonal decor, use energy strips with built-in circuit breakers and keep away from placing too many plugs into one electrical outlet. Preserve cords out of the way in which or behind furnishings, and insert electrical outlet covers into unused retailers. Buy lights with the “UL Listed” mark, which certifies that the product has been examined to satisfy security necessities.
• Discover protected toys. If you’re planning to buy a toy in your great-nephew, make certain it’s age-appropriate and that any batteries can not simply be eliminated. Batteries formed like disks, or button batteries, pose a choking danger to younger kids. Keep away from inserting items underneath the tree that include glass, fragrance or cologne, toxic substances, or sharp supplies.
• Monitor alcohol within the house. If you happen to serve alcohol throughout the festivities, preserve it locked and out of the attain of all kids no matter age. Rapidly clear up leftover drinks.
• Decrease the possibility of a fall. Falls can occur wherever, particularly as your great-nephew is studying to stroll and run. Stairs are a standard explanation for fall-related accidents in toddlers. To maintain him protected throughout his go to, use an authorised security gate on the prime and backside of any stairs. If he likes to climb, transfer furnishings away from home windows or the Christmas tree as effectively.

Fastidiously inspecting your property and taking good care of any security hazards can make sure you and your loved ones have a cheerful and protected vacation season regardless of the age of your visitors. Get pleasure from your time collectively.

This response was contributed by Dr. Peter Reisner, Household Drugs, Mayo Clinic Well being System, Chetek, Wisconsin.

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