HIDDEN HAZARDS CAN SPOIL THE HOLIDAYS

The holidays are an exciting time for youngsters, but without a few simple precautions they can also dangerous.

Holiday hazards are abundant, "especially with the plants and things that people bring into their homes, all the small ornaments that we get out that young children can put into their mouths," said Kathy Leimer.

Leimer and Connie Peiffer co-chair the area Safe Kids Coalition. Leimer is a nurse at St. Francis Medical Center, while Peiffer is a nurse at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

"We tend to child-proof our houses all year, but then when Christmastime rolls around we get all of our nice knickknacks and ornaments out," Leimer said.

Grandparents who might not be used to having small children in the house again need to be extra-careful, she said.

Sometimes parents get so busy getting ready for the holidays they don't have time to supervise and watch out for their children as strictly as they do the rest of the year, Peiffer said.

"When we're so busy with the hustle and bustle of wrapping presents and putting things out, you have to keep that thought in mind that small hands can reach up quickly and find things that can hurt them," she said.

Candles give a wonderful holiday glow but they can also give children nasty burns and are fire hazards.

"Watch that the candles are put up high enough that children can't reach them and get burned or so they can't knock them over," Peiffer said.

Christmas lights can also be hazardous. Use only UL-approved lights and cords, and inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.

Don't overload extension cords and don't run cords under carpet or rugs. Make sure electrical cords are secure so children can't pull them over, keep toddlers away from electrical fixtures and cover electrical sockets when they are not in use. Turn the tree lights off at bedtime.

Wrapping paper is another potential hazard for small children who might be tempted to put it in their mouths.

"Some Christmas paper contains lead, and if infants or toddlers chew on it they can absorb the lead," Peiffer said. "When you're finished opening up the presents, it's a good idea to clean up all the Christmas paper right away."

Ribbons also can be dangerous if children decide to wear them like necklaces because they "get hung up on things," Peiffer said.

Toys certainly liven up Christmas morning, but the wrong toys can be dangerous for small children. Parents with children in a wide range of ages need to be especially careful because the toys they buy for their 10-year-old might include small or sharp parts that can harm the toddler.

"Choking is probably the biggest hazard that we've heard about," Peiffer said. Very young children might put small parts such as removable lights, game pieces or buttons in their mouths.

It's also important to buy toys that are age-appropriate for children. "Your child might be big for a 2-year-old but he or she might not be able to handle toys for a 4-year-old," Peiffer said. "Think about where that child is developmentally."

Older brothers and sisters can be drafted during the holidays to keep a careful watch on their younger siblings to make sure the little ones aren't taking on more toy than they can handle, she said.

Children home on holiday break have more time to play outside and that itself is a safety hazard, Peiffer and Leimer said. Falls on ice and snow and bruises, cuts and fractures from sledding or skiing accidents keep doctors and nurses busy during the holidays.

Parents also need to make sure young children are bundled up if they're going to be playing outside in the cold, Leimer said.

"Smaller children, because of their structure, are more susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite," she said. Water safety is of extreme importance in cold weather, when hypothermia and exposure are very real dangers.

Other holiday hazards include:

*Christmas trees. Real trees can be fire hazards if they aren't properly maintained. Make sure trees are well-watered and keep them away from heat sources like fireplaces and radiators.

Trim lower branches so they can't injure toddlers and young children, and make sure the tree is secure so it won't tip over onto small children. Put ornaments that are small, sharp or breakable up high so small children can't reach them. Consider buying a fire-resistant artificial tree, and don't decorate with artificial snow sprays, which can cause lung irritation.

*Poisonous plants and decorative items. Amaryllis, azalea, boxwood, castor beans, Christmas cactus, Crown of Thorns, English and American ivy, Jerusalem or jimson weed, Christmas cherry, mountain laurel and poke weed, along with the berries from mistletoe and holly, are poisonous. Poinsettias aren't poisonous, but they can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested or skin irritation if touched.

*Alcohol. Eggnog and other holiday beverages containing alcohol have sweet tastes and are tempting to youngsters, who are susceptible to alcohol overdose or poisoning. Make sure to clear away glasses or move them out of small children's reach. Baking extracts like vanilla and almond extract also contain high levels of alcohol.

*Fire salts used in fireplaces to produce colored flames contain heavy metals and can cause intense gastrointestinal distress or vomiting.

TOY TIPS

Toys should be fun, not dangerous. Keep Christmas merry by following these precautions from the National Safe Kids Campaign and area Safe Kids Coalition when shopping for toys.

*Toys and games with small, removable parts are particularly hazardous to children under 3.

*Toys with sharp edges or points may allow a child to stab or cut himself or someone else.

*Toys that make loud noises, like caps or toy guns, can permanently damage a child's hearing.

*Propelled toys, such as toy darts and projectiles, should be avoided. If allowed, choose toys with soft, non-removable ends to avoid eye injuries.

*Save electric toys for children who are 8 years old or older.

*Choose age-appropriate toys.

Suitable toys for children a year old or younger include activity quilts, stuffed animals without button noses or eyes, bath toys, soft dolls, baby swings and squeaky toys.

Safe toys for children ages one to two include books, blocks, fit-together toys, balls, push and pull toys, pounding toys and shape toys.

Children ages two to five can include non-toxic aft supplies, books, videos, musical instruments and outdoor toys, such as baseball tee stands, slides or swings.