CANTON – Next to Santa, toys and special treats are mostly likely two of the things children are drawn to during the holiday season. Those shiny and sweet smelling goodies could, however, be cause for concern.
Canton-Potsdam Hospital Pediatrician John Devine, MD, noted toys that contain small parts or have sewn on pieces (like eyes or a nose) should be kept away from children.
“Electronic toys requiring button batteries should also be avoided, if possible, as they can be very dangerous if ingested. If you do have toys or devices that require button batteries, please keep the batteries in a safe place away from children,” Dr. Devine said.
Often times toys or their accessories are packaged in plastic bags, and those too, should be thrown away or removed from a child’s reach. Tiny bags could become lodged in a child’s throat, or if a child puts a large plastic bag over their head, they may suffocate.
Children should not be given hard candies, and their food should be cut into small bite-size pieces for them.
“Cutting food into small pieces decreases the ability for food to become lodged in a child's airway. Children should be sitting down while eating, rather than running and playing with a mouthful of food,” Dr. Devine continued.
Parents and babysitters who find themselves confronted with a choking child younger than one year old are advised by the Mayo Clinic to do the following:
Review complete details on choking.
Keeping children healthy throughout the holidays and into the New Year is also important. When children get together, they will inevitably want to interact, play, and share toys.
“Cleaning toys beforehand is a great way to stop the spread of germs, in conjunction with children washing their hands before and after play time,” Dr. Devine said. “Try to encourage children from touching their faces and putting toys in their mouths would be helpful, but not necessarily practical.
“Adults and/or children who have symptoms of illness should stay at home or not be the host of gatherings. Hand washing always applies to everyone. Be respectful of others and get the flu shot if you can in order to protect those who cannot receive the vaccine,” he added. “The holidays and every day should be about spreading joy and well wishes, not germs.”
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