Toy safety
- The holiday season and gift giving go
hand-in-hand. Don’t forget about toy safety when shopping for presents. - An estimated 181,500 children were
treated in an emergency room for a toy-related injury in 2010. Nearly half of
those injured were children four years old and younger. - Choose toys that are age appropriate.
- Take the time to read the instructions
and warning labels to make sure the toy is right for the right age group. - Make sure toys for young children
don’t include small parts or other potential choking hazards. - Don’t forget a helmet for riding toys.
If you’re gifting a bike, skateboard, scooter or other riding equipment, make
sure to include a helmet and any other required safety equipment. - Consider storage. Make sure that you
have bins or containers to store the toys when not in use to avoid injury. - Sign up to receive product recalls in case
any of the gifts you give or gifts your child receives are later found to be
hazardous.
Winter Travel
- This Saturday brings with it a 50
percent chance of snow. Is your car ready for winter travel and/or emergencies? - Residents should make sure their cars
are ready for winter and for emergencies, especially if holiday travel plans
include any driving over the mountains. - Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle and
make sure it includes the following: - Windshield scraper and shovel.
- Snack food and water.
- Flashlights with extra batteries.
- Extra hats, coats and mittens and
blankets. - Tire chains, road salt, sand and
booster cables. - Bright colored flags or help signs and
emergency flares. - Road maps, a tool kit and a first aid
kit. - Know when to stay and when to go. If
visibility and conditions aren’t safe, just stay home. - Check COtrip before you travel and make sure
you are comfortable with the road and visibility conditions.