When Lynn Morley planned her son's first birthday party she knew what
she wanted. The Belton, Missouri, mom envisioned a small get-together
with family surrounding her son Alexander as he blew out the big number
one candle atop his cake. What Morley didn't plan on is her son being so
enchanted with the flames that he lunged forward in his high chair to
grab the candle. "I pulled it back just in time," recalls Morley. "My
husband and I blew it out for him." That was three years ago. As Morley
prepares for her second son's first birthday party, she doesn't plan on
lighting any candles.
"What's interesting is that no one at the party—all experienced
parents—thought to caution us about the candle," confides Morley.
Normally vigilant parents can easily become distracted from safety
issues at birthday celebrations. And these events can pose serious risks
from the cake candle to the small plastic toys often found in goodie
bags. The distractions add up when you have other children and parents
attending the festivities too. Look over some of the top birthday
hazards to make sure that your child's special day stays happy, not
hazardous.
Food
"There are so many food items that are considered unsafe until a
child reaches the age of 4," says Dr. Christine Wood, pediatrician and
author of
How to Get Kids to Eat Great & Love It. She lists
popular party foods such as hot dogs, grapes, hard candy, popcorn,
chunks of cheese, meat, carrots, celery, taffy, dried fruits,
marshmallows, and others as posing choking risks.
Dr. Wood advises some simple precautions to avoid problems. First, make
sure that the children attending the party—including the birthday
child—sit while eating. "Almost any food can become a choking hazard if
children are running around or laughing." Second, avoid known choking
foods or make sure these foods are cut into small pieces.
Choking is a serious hazard for little kids. According to a study
published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17,537
children visited emergency rooms around the country in 2001 with
nonfatal choking problems. Of those choking incidences, 60 percent were
from food items, 31 percent were from nonfood items, and 9 percent were
from unknown substances.
If a child does appear to be choking, either because he is unable to
breathe, breathing is labored, or he's turning color, Dr. Bryan Burke, a
pediatrician at the Arkansas Children's Hospital, relays the importance
of parents reacting quickly. Sometimes the child is still able to
breathe while the object is lodged in the airway, but if a child's
breathing is blocked completely, you have only four minutes before the
lack of oxygen will lead to death, says Dr. Burke.
Dr. Burke, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests
parents take a CPR course and familiarize themselves with how to react
in emergency situations.
Additionally, when planning the party, ask parents of party guests if
their children have any food allergies so that you can avoid serving
those foods or restrict the food to certain areas.
Toys
Like small pieces of food, tiny toys can also put your child at risk
of choking. Opt for party favors that are large enough that they cannot
be swallowed. Dr. Wood explains that any item that can fit through a
toilet paper roll can potentially fit in your child's mouth and create
airway problems.
Remember that gifts your child receives may be unsuitable for your
child's age—such as a toy intended for preschoolers with small parts.
Tuck these gifts away and save them for your child to enjoy once she's
old enough.
Decorations and Wrappings
With all the party excitement, you may not realize that some common
party items—such as gift-wrapping and balloons—can prevent breathing if
inhaled or swallowed. Dr. Burke recalls vividly a case where he was
called to remove a balloon from a child's throat. Unfortunately, the
four-year-old died before ever reaching the hospital.
While you don't have to ban balloons from your festivities
altogether, be careful where you place them. Tape balloons high above
children's heads and don't let anyone play with them. Save balloon
animals until children are older and won't place the balloons in their
mouths.
Gather up wrapping paper, ribbons, and packaging as soon as your
child is done opening gifts. Remember that you're not just trying to
ensure your own child's safety, but also that of other children
attending the party.
Your House
Take a childproofing tour of your house. This is a great time to
check between couch cushions and under beds for hazardous items. "Small
things like marbles, watch batteries, pen caps, or buttons can be a real
choking problem," says Dr. Wood. Reinstall childproofing devices such
as outlet covers and gates at stairs if necessary.
Before the party, determine where guests will put their coats and
purses. Dr. Wood points out that many items that a child might stumble
onto in a purse left on the floor can be dangerous, such as medications,
keys, or pocket knives.
If you have a family pool, there must be at least one adult who will
stay in the pool for the entire event and watch the children. If your
pool is covered, lock outside doors or pool gates so that children will
not find their way into your pool and drown.
Have Fun—Get Help!
Parties are supposed to be fun, not stressful. If you are aware of
common party dangers you'll be better able to prevent an accident and
enjoy your child's special day. Perhaps the best celebration advice
comes from pediatrician Dr. Dan McGee, of the DeVos Children's Hospital
in Grand Rapids, Michigan: "Don't do it all yourself. Find someone or
hire a babysitter to help you manage the party, especially if you are
expecting a lot of guests." Now, who's ready to party?
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