12 Holiday Safety Tips

Experts from the California Poison Control System offer 12 Holiday Tips to your readers.

1 -- Don't let babies chew on foil wrapping paper. It may contain lead.
2 -- Holiday gifts can have flat, coin-shaped batteries. If swallowed, these can cause serious burns, choking and lead exposure. Keep all batteries away from babies, kids and pets!
3 -- If using snow spray indoors be sure to open windows. Solvents in the spray cans may cause nausea, lightheadedness and headache.
4 -- Poinsettias won't kill you. Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset, but aren't fatal.
5 -- Pine needles can get stuck in the throat and cause choking in small children & pets. Keep swept up.
6 -- Carbon monoxide: open chimney flues, never use stove or BBQ for indoor heat & keep outdoor generators away from windows.
7 -- Holly & mistletoe berries can cause nausea, vomiting & diarrhea if eaten. Pyracantha berries are safer substitute.
8 -- Lead can still be found in new and used children's products, like toys, backpacks, lunchboxes & jewelry. Find out about product recalls & tested products at healthystuff.org
9 -- Have the poison control number programmed into all phones. Call anytime, 24/7 for expert advice or questions. We're here to help.
10 – Holiday visits from grandparents? Purses/bags attract curious kids. Be sure any medicines are put out of the reach of kids.
11 -- Washing hands, counters & cutting boards with hot water & soap and washing fruits & helps prevent food poisoning.
12 -- For more free weekly safety tips to cell phones, text the word TIPS or PUNTOS for Spanish to 69866.

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Five Tips to Teach Children the Spirit of Giving

The holiday gift-giving season is an appropriate time to involve children in charitable giving and teach them why the old adage, "It is better to give than to receive," is true. Here are some tips:

- As a family, select a charitable organization you'd like to support. Use online tools like Charity Navigator to find an organization that you trust. Give your children a budget and encourage them to decide how your family will donate to that organization this holiday.

- Cherish the stories of your family. Have your children talk to their grandparents and write down the stories of their past. Create a book to share with the entire family or record it online through Story Corps.

- Consider do-it-yourself gifts, like no-sew fleece blankets that you can make with your children. Donate those blankets to a local homeless shelter. Find other homemade gift ideas at About.com's Family Crafts page.

- Work with your children to create a coupon book for your neighbors that might need an extra hand this year. Coupons could include shoveling their sidewalk, watching their children, or providing a meal.

- Bake cookies or sweets with your children and deliver them to your local nursing home or school-in-need. Get started with this list of holiday recipes.

Tips, courtesy of World Vision.
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