Make safety a family holiday tradition to follow

This is a special time of the year. Preparations, decorations, gift shopping and party planning can be super hectic that our mind is preoccupied with everything else but safety precautions. Keep your holidays happy and bright by making safety a family holidays tradition as well.

The Los Angeles Police Department Crime Prevention Section reminds us to be safe during the holidays season with the following shopping tips:

• Shop during daylight hours if possible. If you must shop at night, park in a well-lighted area.

• Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.

• Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked.

• Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. Keep them in the trunk of your car or put them somewhere out of sight.

• Be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car and do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.

• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

• Avoid wearing expensive jewelries.

Buying toys is fun, but think about the child’s safety as you decide which ones to buy and from where. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that were 11 deaths, and an estimated 145,000 emergency department-treated injuries last year associated with toys for children 12 years and younger. The majority of the 11 deaths reported were attributed to chocking associated with small parts, balls or balloons. And of all the estimated emergency visits for treatment of injuries, motorized scooters accounted for the largest share of injuries across all age groups.

Take even more caution when buying at online marketplace, versus directly from a manufacturer. This fiscal year, CPSC in collaboration with US Customs and Border Protection, confiscated more than 1.1 million dangerous or illegal toys.

CPSC offers the following toys safety tips:

• Follow age guidance and other safety information on toy packaging and choose toys that match each child’s interests and abilities.

• Get safety gear, including helmets, for scooters and other riding toys — and make sure that children use them every time.

• Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3 and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than age 8.

• Once the gifts are open, immediately discard plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys before they become dangerous playthings.

The CPSC also reported that there are about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries each day, on average, during the holiday season, with over 40% of the incidents involving falls. Last year, it was reported that there were about 14,800 people who were treated in hospital emergency departments due to holiday decorating-related injuries.

Here are some holiday decoration safety tips from CPSC:

• Make sure your live Christmas tree has plenty of water and look for the “Fire Resistant” label when buying an artificial tree.

• Never leave candles unattended. Place burning candles in sight, away from flammable items, and blow or snuff them out before leaving the room. Use flameless candles whenever possible.

• Never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights, and never overload electrical outlets.

The Electrical Safety foundation also advises to keep decorations at least three feet ways from heat sources — especially those with an open flame, such as fireplaces and candles. Additionally, be sure to have a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level.

A registered nurse, Elvie C. Ancheta is administrator of the California Department of Veterans Affairs’ William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home in Lancaster.