Carol Ball of Children's

Healthcare of Atlanta and SAFE KIDS of Georgia offers these tips to parents

who want to safeguard children from preventable holiday injuries:

- Only allow your child

to use age-appropriate toys.

- If you have more than

one child, make sure to label and keep toys separate to avoid a mix-up.

- Never allow infants

and toddlers to use toys with small parts that could be choking hazards.

Determine whether a part is too small by using a standard cardboard toilet

paper tube. If the part fits entirely inside the tube, it is small enough

to poise a serious choking risk to your child.

- If giving bikes, skates,

skateboards or scooters as gifts, make sure to buy the appropriate helmet

and other safety gear.

- Keep decorations and

other items with sharp edges well out of reach.

- Avoid a fire hazard

Also remember to place the tree away from heat sources, such as vents,

candles or fireplaces. Make sure all smoke alarms have fresh batteries

and that you have developed a home fire escape plan.

- Keep poisonous, decorative

plants, such as amaryllis, holly and mistletoe, out of reach of children

and pets. Keep the Georgia Poison Center number (800-222-1222) with other

emergency numbers.

- Practice common sense

while decorating. Only use indoor holiday lights inside and outdoor holiday

lights outside.

- When traveling, everyone

in the car should be using his or her safety belt or child safety seat.

Make sure child safety seats are appropriate for the child's height

and weight and are used according to manufacturer's instructions.

- For more information

on holiday safety call Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at 404-250-kids,

or visit www.choa.org.

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