Every year Collective Preventive Services (CPS), an executing agency within the Ministry of Public Health, reminds the public of safety during the holidays. This is part of its calendar of health observances which pose an opportunity to highlight and creates awareness on preventive actions to ensure a healthy life style within our community.
There are preventive actions that can be taken to ensure safety for you, your family and even community. Before purchasing or giving any gift, particularly one intended for a child, double check to make sure it does not pose a hazard by reading the safety conditions attached to the gift.
Here are some safety tips for holiday season shopping: select toys suitable for a child's age, abilities, skills and interest level; for infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts, which could pose a fatal choking hazard.
Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points, especially for children under age eight; do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age eight; read the labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide in your holiday shopping.
One of the most important gifts of all to give a child is time spent with you as a parent this holiday season.
