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Important Dates

National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
12/10  Children's Day of Broadcasting
12/22-  12/30 Hanukkah
12/25 Christmas 
12/31 New Year's Eve

It's the most wonderful time of the year! It is a time to enjoy your family and be in the giving spirit! While you are enjoying your winter decorations and wrapping gifts, please don't forget about safety. This month's blog will focus on some things to help keep your kiddos protected this holiday season, as well as what to keep in mind when buying gifts for your little ones.

Winter Home Safety Tips

Kitchen
Clean and Check Range Hood
Clean Garbage Disposal
Inspect Hoses on Dishwasher, Ice Maker, and Fridge
Bedrooms and Living Areas
Check Flashlights, Replace Batteries
Hide Holiday Presents
Wipe Walls and Ceilings
Clean Lampshades
Basement
Service Generator
Vacuum and Dust HVAC System
Replace Furnace Filter
Bathrooms
Update First Aid Kit
Clean or Replace Shower Curtain
Hallways
Repair Steps and Banister
Test and Change Detector Batteries
Outside
Check for Ice Dams and Icicles
Install Outdoor Security Camera
Maintain Shoveled and Salted Walkway
Install Smart Holiday Lights

More details and a downloadable checklist at Safewise

Choosing Safe Toys

According to the American Public Health Association, "Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month. The group encourages everyone to consider if the toys they wish to give suits the age and individual skills and abilities of the individual child who will receive it, especially for infants and children under age three."
Some quick guidelines from APHA  for choosing safe toys this holiday season:

• Inspect all toys before purchasing. Avoid those that shoot or include parts that fly off. The toy should have no sharp edges or points and should be sturdy enough to withstand impact without breaking, being crushed, or being pulled apart easily.
• When purchasing toys for children with special needs try to: Choose toys that may appeal to different senses such as sound, movement, and texture; consider interactive toys to allow the child to play with others; and think about the size of the toy and the position a child would need to be in to play with it.
• Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Check them for age, skill level, and developmental appropriateness before allowing them to be played with. 
• Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection – “ATSM” means the toy has met the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
• Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (give a helmet with the skateboard)
• Keep kids safe from lead in toys by: Educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, symptoms of lead poisoning, and what kinds of toys have been recalled; being aware that old toys may be more likely to contain lead in the paint; having your children wash their hands frequently and calling your doctor if you suspect your child has been exposed to lead. 
• Do NOT give toys with small parts (including magnets and “button” batteries which can cause serious injury or death if ingested) to young children as they tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the piece can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for kids under age three.
• Do NOT give toys with ropes and cords or heating elements. 
• Do NOT give crayons and markers unless they are labeled “nontoxic”.

RECALLS:
December 6, 2019 CPSC; DaVinci Recalls Bassinets Due to Fall Hazard (Recall Alert)
November 14, 2019 CPSC; Quest Products Recalls ALOCANE Emergency Burn Pads Due to Failure to Meet Child Resistant Closure Requirement; Risk of Poisoning
November 12, 2019 CPSC; Hooey Recalls Children’s Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Due to Strangulation Hazard
October 31, 2019 CPSC; New Port Sales Recalls All-Gloo Craft Glue Due to Failure to Meet Child Resistant Closure Requirements; Poison Hazard to Children

* information from Consumer Product Safety Commission

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