Have a Happy (and Safe!) Holiday

Last week we offered some tips to keep our favourite furry friends safe this holiday. Unfortunately, the holidays can be dangerous for us as well. Follow these tips to keep the holidays the way they should be—fun and joyful!

Toys!
Many toys contain tiny parts that kids can choke on. And don’t forget about the packaging—Styrofoam, twist-ties, plastic bags, and batteries are all “no-nos” for little ones. Make sure an adult takes the toy out of its package and cleans up any packaging mess. If you suspect a child has ingested anything, seek medical attention.

Eat, drink, and be merry…
You know the “one-day flu” that you get after dinner at a certain relative’s house? Sorry, it’s not the flu—it’s food poisoning. Health Canada offers these suggestions for preventing food-borne illness:

• Clean: Wash hands, cooking utensils, and surfaces that come in contact with food.
• Separate: To avoid cross-contamination, keep raw foods away from cooked food.
• Cook: Cook foods thoroughly. Yup, this includes cookie dough!
• Chill: Keep cold foods cold. The “danger zone” when bacteria grows fastest is between 4 C (40 F) and 60 C (140 F), so be cautious when leaving foods out at a potluck or party.

Finally, although this one’s fairly obvious, it’s still a huge problem over the holidays—limit your alcohol intake, and never drink and drive.

For decoration only
They’re pretty to look at, but don’t eat them! What looks decorative to us may look (or smell) like food to little ones. This includes plants such as holly berries as well as cosmetics and perfume.

Merry and bright
Candles, fireplaces, Christmas lights, and Christmas trees all add whimsy and magic to holiday nights. They also add a risk of fire if not handled properly. Never leave a fire or candles unsupervised, and it’s also recommended not to leave lights on overnight. Last but not least, make sure that flames are kept away from anything that could catch fire, and are out of the way of kids and pets.