< Arkansas Children's Blog

Five Ways to Stay on Santa's Nice and Safe List

Some Gifts Can be Hazardous, Depending on a Child's Age

Published date: December 17, 2020
Updated date: April 01, 2024

Child safety does not take a holiday. It's fun to give gifts, but understanding the hazards can help keep a child safe while playing. The Arkansas Children's Prevention Center shares their tips to keep your child safe.

A child's safety doesn't take a holiday. Here are some simple safety tips from Arkansas Children's Injury Prevention Center to keep your family out of harm's way.

  • Small items can be unsafe for young children. Think about the mouth of a milk jug - and how big it is. If the toy has parts that can fit through it, there's a good chance a child can choke on them.
  • Be careful with button batteries found in toys. If swallowed, they can become lodged in the esophagus and cause serious injury or death. If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
  • Ready to roll? If you’re planning on getting your child anything with wheels (bicycle, skateboard or scooter) this holiday season, be sure to pair that gift with a helmet.
  • If you have family or other guests visiting this holiday season, make sure their medications are put away from where a curious child can't get into them and mistake them for candy. Over-the-counter medications are just as dangerous as prescription drugs.
  • Check your car seat before holiday travel. If you have questions or concerns about how to install your car seat or if there’s another issue, call the Injury Prevention Center to set up an appointment with one of their certified child passenger safety technicians at 501-364-3400.

Visit the Injury Prevention Center to learn more safety tips from the experts at Arkansas Children's.