The holiday season is a magical time for little ones. Most of us can remember previous Christmas mornings, when nothing surpassed the feeling of waking up to a holiday tree with presents stacked beneath.
If you’re just as excited to be a parent creating those holiday memories, keep in mind some of the dangers that certain gifts can present. Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness for common purchasing mistakes.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, hospital emergency rooms treat over 250,000 toy-related injuries throughout the United States. Nearly 3 out of 4 are of children under 15 years of age.
Here are some guidelines that can help keep children safe from harm:
Buy Age Appropriate Toys
Most toys have a label on the box that states what ages can use them. This can be easy to overlook, but the labels are there for a reason: toys made for older children may contain small pieces that could be swallowed by a younger child. Also, some features may be too complex for younger kids to comprehend, resulting in unsafe misuse. Be aware of any other children that may use the toy, including siblings or friends, and plan accordingly.
Read the Safety Precautions and Instructions
Safety and instruction booklets may be the least interesting parts of a new toy for a child, but for adults they should be the opposite. Remember who the gift is for, and how they might use it. It’s also important to examine the toy to ensure that it’s durable and free of sharp or unsafe pieces.
Explain How to Use the Gift
Take time to sit down with the child and show them how to use the gift if they seem confused, or just to be extra cautious. Many toy-related injuries are the result of misuse, so it’s important that the child knows the proper way to use their new toy.
Avoid Unsafe Food Items
Filling a child’s Christmas stocking is fun, but try not to go overboard when selecting the items. Overstuffing those stockings with cheap snacks and candy is easy – kids love seeing that huge sock bulging with delicious treats – but pay attention to the kinds of snacks that you give. Highly allergenic foods like nuts, plus toffees and other hard candies can be a hazard to those with allergies or very young children. Ensure that no one in the house is allergic to the treats that you’re giving out – including Santa -- and avoid giving hard candies to any child under five years old.
Beyond the festivities, remember that safety is crucial to enjoying a happy and healthy holiday season!
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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