If you love to decorate and exchange gifts during the holidays, don’t forget to consider safety, especially with children.
“The holidays can be a really exciting time for kids with gifts and new toys to play with,” said Ben Hoffman, M.D., professor of pediatrics and medical director of the Tom Sargent Safety Center at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. “But kids are naturally curious and very quick, and it’s important to make sure they cannot get to things that might be dangerous.”
According to the United Sates Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over two-thirds of the 209,500 emergency room visits during 2022 for toy-related injuries were children 12 and under. For all age groups, the most common injuries were lacerations, the most common part of the body injured was the head or face, and non-motorized scooters were the top toy responsible for emergency room visits.
Safety tips for children’s toys:
- Follow guidance and safety information on packaging, and choose toys that match each child’s age, interests and abilities.
- Get safety gear, including helmets, for scooters and other riding toys–and make sure children use them.
- Keep small toys and toys with small parts, including balls and magnets, away from children younger than 3.
- Keep latex balloons away from children younger than 8.
- Once gifts are open, immediately discard wrappings and packaging.
- Make sure battery compartments are securely shut.
“There are many dangerous toys out there, and we would encourage shopping with reputable, trusted retailers,” Hoffman said. “With these practical tips, we can ensure kids stay safe and prevent unintentional injuries this holiday season.”
Lottery tickets are not for kids. If gifting Lottery tickets, be sure the recipient is 18 or older. Research has shown the earlier you give children the opportunity to gamble, the more likely they are to develop a gambling problem. Visit the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource to learn about the risks of youth gambling.
Decorating
During the 2022 holiday season (Nov. 1 – Jan. 31), nearly 15,000 people in the U.S. went to emergency rooms for decorating-related injuries. More than 40% involved falls.
Tips for safe decorating:
- When climbing a ladder, ask someone to hold the ladder steady and be there in case you lose your balance.
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Place burning candles away from flammable items. Use flameless candles when possible.
- Never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights, and never overload electrical outlets.
- If you have a live Christmas tree, make sure it stays watered.
- If you have an artificial tree, look for a “Fire Resistant” label before purchasing.