[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/12\/holiday-safety\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/12\/holiday-safety\/","headline":"Avoiding a Ho Ho Hospital Visit: 6 Tips to Keep Children Safe During the Holidays","name":"Avoiding a Ho Ho Hospital Visit: 6 Tips to Keep Children Safe During the Holidays","description":"The holidays are a time for fun, but it's important to keep your children safe from potential holiday hazards.","datePublished":"2021-12-07","dateModified":"2022-10-04","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","name":"Pediatrics","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pediatrics\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/christmas-tree.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/christmas-tree.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/12\/holiday-safety\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":1219,"articleBody":"From family get-togethers to shopping, the hustle and bustle of the holidays can keep you busy. But wintry weather, holiday parties, and festive decorations can pose a risk for children.\u201cThere are a number of different injuries that we see increase this time of year,\u201d Dr. Jenny Ziembicki, MD, Trauma Clinic, UPMC Mercy, tells WPXI. \u201cAs the weather gets colder, we see injuries from alternative heating sources such as open fires and area heaters. We see a significant increase in cooking-related injuries, particularly around the holidays. Lastly, we see a number of different injuries that occur from the decorations themselves.\u201dAn injury or hospital visit can bring an abrupt end to your family’s seasonal fun. Keep your children safe during the holidays with these tips.1. Practice Kitchen SafetyThe holidays often mean more time in the kitchen whipping up classic family meals. More time in the kitchen may mean an increased risk of cuts and burns, especially with children involved.\u201cTake a minute to be aware of your surroundings and make sure you set up safety zones,\u201d says Dr. Ziembicki. \u201cAround an open fire or in the kitchen when we\u2019re cooking, we really want to keep a three-foot perimeter.\u201dIf your children are eager to help prepare your holiday meal, be sure to follow these kitchen safety tips:Have children wash up before handling food. Remember that even little hands can carry big germs. To encourage good hand hygiene, lead by example and wash your hands with soap and water before preparing your holiday meal. Make sure you scrub for 20 seconds.Keep a careful eye around hot items. Many children like to touch and taste anything they can get their hands on. Be sure to handle hot items with a potholder or towel and keep children a safe distance away.Practice knife safety. Lots of chopping, slicing, and dicing go into most holiday feasts. If your children are younger than teenagers, they shouldn’t be handling knives. Be sure to teach your teens the proper way to use a knife.Clean as you cook. Encourage your helpers to wipe up messes as they make them. Keep surfaces washed and clean. A tidy kitchen can reduce the risk of slips and falls.Choose age-appropriate tasks.  If your child cannot safely handle knives, they can still be a part of holiday fun in the kitchen. Try including them in tasks better suited for their age. Perhaps they can stir batter with a spoon, sprinkle flour on the counter for festive cookies, or taste-test ingredients.Handle food safely, so no one tosses their cookies. After you’ve enjoyed your holiday meal, store leftovers in the fridge immediately. While you’re preparing foods, be sure to keep raw meats separate and cook them to a safe temperature.2. Avoid the Seasonal Flu, Common Cold, and COVID-19Avoid sneezes, sniffles, and stuffy, red noses during the winter, when the common cold and seasonal flu are more widespread.The best way to avoid catching the flu is by getting your flu shot. Before celebrating the holidays, make sure your children are up to date on their flu vaccine. If you’re hosting a family get-together, take steps to slow the spread of illness at the event. If one of your loved ones feels ill, ask them to stay home.Children aged 6 months and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The best way to lower your child’s risk of getting COVID-19 is to get them vaccinated.During the holidays, your child may be on break from school. If they are attending classes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that they wear a mask indoors.To avoid getting sick during the holidays, remind your children of some basic healthy habits:Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Don’t touch your face.Cover any coughs or sneezes.3. Dress Your Child Appropriately for Cold WeatherBaby, it’s cold outside! On the chilliest days of the winter season, children can get frostbite in minutes. Children are more susceptible to cold, so it’s important to keep them bundled up during the winter months.When temperatures are bitterly cold, it is best to keep babies and toddlers indoors as much as possible. If you’re venturing outside in cold weather with children, layering is key. Pockets of air between the layers of clothing trap heat to keep your child warm.Follow these layering tips:Layer one: Choose clothes that will keep moisture away from the skin.Layer two: Choose loose clothing made to resist dampness and maintain body temperature. Heavy pants, sweaters, and sweatshirts are good items for this layer.Layer three: Choose tightly woven, moisture-resistant outerwear. These include coats and jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, and boots.4. Supervise and Encourage the Use of Safety Gear During Outdoor ActivitiesSledding, ice skating, and snowball fights are classic holiday fun for children. But don’t let the fluffy snow fool you; these activities can be dangerous.There’s no need to put a stop to your child’s winter romp \u2014 but it is important to enjoy the season safely.Children should wear proper safety equipment while sledding, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or enjoying other outdoor winter activities. Be sure to keep a watchful eye as your child participates so you can step in if there is an accident.5. Child-Proof Your Holiday DecorationsAre you turning your house into a winter wonderland? Don’t go overboard with the holiday spirit \u2014 seasonal decorations can be dangerous for children.Falling objects can seriously injure children. Secure large decorations to the wall so they won’t tip over. Keep choking hazards, like small decorations, out of your child’s reach. A child can swallow small trinkets or objects, which can block their windpipe.Many families decorate their homes with mistletoe and poinsettias during the holiday season. Be sure to keep them away from children and from your furry friends \u2014 these classic winter plants are toxic when eaten.6. Keep Toy Safety in MindChildren’s toys are a staple for the holiday season. But think carefully about what you put under your tree. Some toys may not be as innocent as you think.The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported over 224,200 toy-related child injuries in 2019. It’s essential to consider the potential dangers of a toy before purchasing it for your child.Choose toys based on the child’s age and developmental level. Be mindful of the item’s size \u2014 your child could choke on small pieces, batteries, and attachments. If you plan on surprising your child with a riding toy, like a bike, tricycle, or scooter, be sure to add appropriate safety accessories (like a helmet) as a part of the gift.UPMC Children’s: Here for You During the HolidaysChildren’s illnesses don’t take a holiday and neither do we.UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh offers in-person and video options to get care for your child 24\/7. And it’s not just available during the holidays \u2014 it’s here all year long.For more information or to schedule a visit, please visit CHP.edu\/Gingerbread. And for safety tips all year long, visit CHP.edu\/BeSafe.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on December 7, 2021, and was last reviewed on October 4, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2021","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Avoiding a Ho Ho Hospital Visit: 6 Tips to Keep Children Safe During the Holidays","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/12\/holiday-safety\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]