COALITION OFFERS ADVICE ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH KIDS

The Cape Girardeau Safe Kids Coalition wants to remind parents to keep a few safety tips in mind while shopping for their children this holiday season.

The coalition, jointly sponsored by Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital, published a list of shopping guides for selection of appropriate gifts for children.

Parents should make sure that the toys they are buying are appropriate for the age and development of children on their shopping list.

The coalition warns that parents be on the lookout for toys with small, removable parts which can especially hazardous to children under the age of three; toys with sharp points or edges that may enable a child to unintentionally cut himself or another person; toys that produce loud noises which can permanently harm a child's hearing; propelled toys that may cause an eye injury and electric toys which should be saved for children who are at least eight years old.

"No matter what the toy is, if it is too advanced or easily broken the child is not going to enjoy it," said nurse Sandy Geile of St. Francis Medical Center, co-chairman of the local Safe Kids Coalition. "More importantly, the toy then becomes a hazard to the child; that's why toys should not only be interesting to the child, but also be well-constructed, durable and safe."

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 161,000 toy-related injuries in 1991.

Decorating is also a major part of the holiday season, however the trappings that we use to make our homes more festive during this time of year can also be hazardous if improperly used.

The Safe Kids Coalition suggests:

* Buy a fresh, natural Christmas tree,

* Keep tree in a full container of water and check the water level daily,

* Keep tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators or heating vents,

* Keep breakable ornaments and ornaments with small, detachable parts out of children's reach,

* Dispose of tree as soon as possible after the holidays,

* Inspect electrical lights for exposed or frayed wires and broken sockets. Don't overload extension cords with lights and never run an electrical cord under a carpet,

* Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed or leave the house,

* Do not place candles on tablecloths or near drapes or anything that might be flammable,

* Teach children not to touch burning candles, but rather to admire their beauty from a distance,

* Keep potentially hazardous holiday plants out of reach,

* Dispose of colored wrapping paper immediately. Wrapping paper may contain lead and other materials that could be toxic to small children.

For more information about holiday safety and kids, contact the Cape Girardeau Safe Kids Coalition, at 651-5815.