The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday season, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Trees
When buying an artificial tree, make sure it's fire resistant. Or, if it's a live tree, make sure it's still fresh. When putting the tree up in your house, make sure it's not covering (or near) heaters, and keep the tree stand full of water to prevent it from drying out.
Lights
Check all the tree lights and make sure there are no frayed wires or broken or loose connections. Make sure you never use electric lights on a metallic tree, and always read the light labels. Make sure you turn off all lights before going to bed, or before leaving your house.
Decorations
Use non-combustible or flame-resistant materials on both artificial and real trees. Make sure to take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation, and remove all wrapping papers after gifts are open.
Fireplaces
Before lighting any fire, remove all greens and paper from the fireplace area. Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace and be cautious if you're using fire salts. You may want to use a screen or grate to keep children away from the flame.
Listen in as Corinn Cross, MD, shares the top safety tips from the AAP and easy ways you can keep your family safe during the holidays.
Children & Holiday Safety
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Dr. Corinn Cross was born and raised in New Jersey. She attended Barnard College where she graduated cum laude and majored in philosophy. She went on to attend the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ, where she was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Cross did her internship and residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Cross has continued to work at CHLA as a general pediatrics attending.
Dr. Cross is actively involved in her local AAP, Chapter 2, where she is an obesity champion. She is co-founder of the Fit to Play and Learn Obesity Prevention curriculum. Through a collaboration between AAP Chapter 2 and the L.A. Unified School District this curriculum is being used to educate at-risk students and their parents on the risks of obesity and to help them to lead healthier lives. Dr. Cross is an AAP Spokesperson and speaks to children throughout the L.A. school district about obesity, healthy lifestyles and the benefits of walking to school.
Dr. Cross is a member of the Executive Board for the AAP's Council on Communications and Media. She is the Editor of the Council on Communications and Media's blog.
Corinn Cross, MD
Dr. Corinn Cross was born and raised in New Jersey. She attended Barnard College where she graduated cum laude and majored in philosophy. She went on to attend the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ, where she was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Cross did her internship and residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Cross has continued to work at CHLA as a general pediatrics attending.Dr. Cross is actively involved in her local AAP, Chapter 2, where she is an obesity champion. She is co-founder of the Fit to Play and Learn Obesity Prevention curriculum. Through a collaboration between AAP Chapter 2 and the L.A. Unified School District this curriculum is being used to educate at-risk students and their parents on the risks of obesity and to help them to lead healthier lives. Dr. Cross is an AAP Spokesperson and speaks to children throughout the L.A. school district about obesity, healthy lifestyles and the benefits of walking to school.
Dr. Cross is a member of the Executive Board for the AAP's Council on Communications and Media. She is the Editor of the Council on Communications and Media's blog.