Health Topic

Holiday Safety Tips for Caregivers of Small Children

• Keep all holiday plants out of reach of small children, as most are poisonous.
• Keep small button type batteries away from small children, as they are choking hazards.
• Avoid decorations and ornaments made with leaded material in homes with small children, as they may be hazardous if ingested.
• Avoid decorations that are sharp, breakable, or with small parts in homes with small children, as they may become a choking hazard.
• Avoid decorations that resemble candy or food in homes with small children, as they may become a choking hazard.
• Avoid using artificial snow sprays in homes with small children, as they may cause lung irritation or hazardous if ingested.
• Never burn wrapping paper in a fireplace, as it may be toxic and a flash fire may result in a burn from the sudden intense ignition.
• Use care with “fire salts” which produce colored flames in fireplaces, as they may cause severe gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten.

Information provided by: City of Bethlehem EMS