Keep Your Children Safe During the Holidays

It's a big week for family gatherings, and children are excited for the season. But people also want to make sure small children stay safe.

According to Ashanti Woods, M.D., FAAP, a specialist in general pediatrics at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore, it starts with the presents.

People need to make sure their children are playing with age-appropriate toys, as well as ensure the toys don't have small, detachable pieces that could pose a choking hazard.

Also, watch out for dangerous parts, like buttons, batteries or magnets, and be aware of going to other people's homes.

"Even though our home may be safety-proofed and child-proofed, if you go to someone else's house, a family member, we do have to ask them to be conscientious of our child, and we also have to give our children recommendations of not where to go. This includes going into a family's bedroom, perhaps where their medications may be. Also, the parties I go to, there are a lot of red cups, and what may look like Coca-Cola or soda might not be Coca-Cola or soda. It may be Uncle Fester's special drink. So, we just don't want our children getting into that," Dr. Woods said.

When cooking, Dr. Woods suggests using back burners of the stove and turn the handles of pots and pans away from the edges. Also, keep food allergies in mind for family dinners. Dr. Woods also added that it’s important to double-check a child's car seat specifications; as a reminder, heavy coats should not be worn in car seats.

View Mercy Medical Center pediatrician Dr. Ashanti Woods’ interview about best ways to keep your children safe and healthy during the holidays.