Holiday safety for the “little ones” Published Dec. 13, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Julane Bentley 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- It's that festive time of year again when many choose to get caught up in the excitement of holiday decorations, cheerful music, and time spent with family and friends. To keep the holiday season a merry one, please keep the following tips in mind. Typically, young children don't know how to protect themselves from the subtle dangers around homes, but parents and caregivers must. If you have a home with small children, you can take a few steps to make your home safer during the holidays. A good first step is to check all labels and choose ornaments and decorations without leaded materials. Another simple, less obvious step is to avoid using ornaments that resemble candy or food, since a child may be tempted to taste the delicious-looking ornament. Finally, take special care to keep small parts and ornaments out of the reach of little hands; it is amazing how high they can reach. A tip is to lie on the floor and see what you can reach, then adjust as necessary. Gifts can also create problems, and not just because of the arguing over them. When shopping for toys, select age-appropriate options for the intended recipient. Toys that are too advanced can likely pose safety hazards. A couple simple rules-of-thumb may assist you in choosing safe toys: First, for children 3-years-old and younger, the toy should not be or have parts that are less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long. Avoiding these items can reduce choking opportunities. For children from ages 3-5, avoid toys constructed with thin, brittle plastic. These items can break into small pieces and leave jagged edges which may cut or be ingested by a small child. Plants are another sneaky danger commonly displayed during this season. Small children will put anything in their mouths and some may think that holiday plants look tasty. Many of the plants can cause severe stomach problems and require medical assistance. Some of the holiday decoration plants to consider dangerous are mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, amaryllis, and poinsettias. These plants must remain out of children's reach at all times. We highly recommend you keep the Poison Hotline Number (800-222-1222) posted next to the phone all year. This simple step is crucial for saving time when a child does accidentally ingest a harmful substance. Another small family member needs protecting as well. The energy and curiosity of pets around the home, especially during the holidays, can lead to trouble. The first year I had my Pomeranian she was fascinated with the presents under the tree. We experienced just how fascinated she was when we came home from work one evening to find a trail of wrapping paper leading from our tree. My Pomeranian had ripped opened all the gifts under the tree and strewn the remains around the house. The pieces we couldn't locate that day were later found in piles she left as little piles of presents in the back yard. It was not exactly an uplifting moment for the holiday spirit or our pet's digestive system. A simple rule is to use the same measures for pets as you would for a small child. Use these few simple steps to make your holiday season safer and more enjoyable! Happy Holidays to your family from the 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office. And remember - safety never takes a holiday!