EMORY EASTSIDE MEDICAL CENTER SHARES HOLIDAY HEALTH HAZARDS

Snellville, GA  November 30, 2009 - Ahhh - the holidays. Time for gathering with family and friends. Time for feasting on homemade goodies. Time for winter to make its arrival.

Time to be conscious of potential holiday health hazards.

Be careful with those toys

Last year, an estimated 152,400 children under age 15 were treated for toy-related injuries in emergency rooms, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. But, while children may want the latest and greatest toys without a second thought to safety, smart shopping will keep them happy and out of harm's way.

"The smaller the child, the more oral he or she is," said Candace Greene, M.D., pediatrician at Emory Eastside Medical Center. "A lot of toys have moveable and detachable parts, and kids are drawn to them like a magnet. Some children may be allergic to the stuffing found in teddy bears and other stuffed animals, and there can be allergic reactions to the plastic in toys, too."

For children under 3, Dr. Greene emphasizes avoiding toys with small parts that can cause choking. Children under 8 should not have toys with sharp edges or electric toys with heating parts.

Instead, Dr. Greene recommends picking toys suitable for the child's age, abilities, skills and interest level. Look for labels with age and safety advice. And, immediately discard plastic packaging wrap, which can suffocate a child.

"Much of toy safety is common sense," Dr. Greene said. "Young children need an engaging toy, even if it does not have a lot of parts. It might not aesthetically appeal to an adult, but the right toy will entertain a child for hours on end. Adult supervision also is important, so limit the number of toys out at any one time and make sure toys appropriate for older siblings but not young children are kept out of reach."

Play it safe when getting all decked out

Holiday decorations add a happy, festive mood to the season. But, when used improperly, they can cause fire, injuries and even fatalities.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people each year for falls, cuts, shocks and burns caused by faulty holiday lights, dried-out Christmas trees and other decorations. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, leading to 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average $10 million in property damage and loss. There are more than 13,000 candle-related fires each year, resulting in 140 deaths and $205 million in property loss.

"Decorating for the holidays is part of the culture we live in today, but some people get a little carried away and create potential hazards in the process," said Matt Goldstein, M.D., medical director of the Emergency Department at Emory Eastside Medical Center. "And kids are great imitators, so if they see mom or dad crawling on the roof or doing something else potentially dangerous, they will be inclined to do so as well."

The following tips from various federal agencies and affirmed by Dr. Goldstein can help make your upcoming holiday a safe one.

If purchasing an artificial tree, look for the "fire resistant" label. A live tree should be fresh (i.e., green, needles firmly on and not dry) and when tapped on the ground, most needles should remain. When setting up at home, keep the tree from fireplaces, radiators, walking traffic and doorways. Keep the stand filled with water.

Indoors or out, use lights tested for safety by a recognized laboratory, like UL (Underwriters Laboratories), and with plugs containing fuses. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and discard damaged sets. Turn off all lights when going to bed or leaving the house. Never pull or tug when removing outdoor lights.

In addition, use only non-combustible or flame-retardant materials for tree trimming. Keep burning candles within sight, and never use lighted candles on a tree. Take care to avoid sharp or breakable decorations from children, and keep small removable parts from them as well.

When it comes to the fireplace, keep a screen in place to prevent sparks from igniting nearby flammable items.

"Christmas is a time for celebration, and you don't want to put your family at risk," Dr.Goldstein said. "To help protect against hazards in and around the house, invite a friend or relative over to provide another pair of eyes. These opportunities also can be a wonderful teaching tool for children as they grow older and get more involved."