Keeping the Holiday Season Safe for your Little Ones

A Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health expert shares some tips

Neptune, N.J. - December 3, 2025 - With the holiday shopping season under way, it’s a perfect time to talk about gift giving and how to keep children safe. Marie Grace Ponce, M.D., division chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, shares some important tips to keep the holidays injury free for little ones.

When it comes to holiday toy shopping for children, parents and gift givers should keep a number of safety considerations in mind including age appropriateness. Always check the age rating on toys. These recommendations are based on safety testing for that age group, not a child's intelligence or maturity. Toys for older children may contain small parts or require a level of dexterity that younger children do not possess, leading to frustration and potential injury.

For children under age 3, small toys and parts of toys – like small balls, marbles and parts that break off of larger toys (like eyes or buttons on stuffed animals) – are a major choking hazard. If the item fits through the opening of a toilet paper tube, it is too small for a younger child to have. Even uninflated balloons or pieces of broken balloons can pose a serious choking risk. Something that often gets overlooked are button batteries and small, powerful magnets. If swallowed they can cause serious internal injuries or even be fatal. Toys with these components should be kept away from young children.

Unfortunately each year, there are a number of toy-related injuries seen in emergency departments including lacerations, contusions, and abrasions. Falls are a major cause of these injuries, often from riding toys like bikes and non-motorized scooters. For these gifts, ensure they are sturdy and appropriate for the child's size and skill level. Don't forget to include a helmet and other protective gear as part of the gift.

There are other holiday-specific hazards besides toys that adults should be aware of. For instance, decorations can pose a safety risk. It’s best to keep breakable ornaments and those with small, detachable parts out of reach of small children by placing them on higher branches of the tree. Also, be mindful of potentially poisonous holiday plants like mistletoe and holly berries. If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure it is well-watered to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard, and never leave candles unattended and within reach of children.

There are other things, too, that might not readily come to mind, like when you have visitors. When guests are over, be aware that their purses and bags may contain items that are dangerous for children, such as medications or other small items. And consider certain seasonal foods and drinks you may be serving, as they can also pose a safety risk. Keep hot foods and drinks away from the edges of tables and counters where they can be pulled down by a curious child. Also, be mindful of small, hard foods that can be choking hazards for young children, such as nuts and hard candies.

By taking a few extra steps to read packaging, look around your home, and keep certain items out of reach, you can ensure a safe environment for children this holiday season.

For more information about Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health, visit hackensackmeridianhealth.org/kids.

Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health includes K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital and Joseph M. Sanzari’s Children’s Hospital, which are ranked #1 in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-’26 and are nationally ranked in the areas of behavioral health, diabetes & endocrinology, nephrology, neurology & neurosurgery, and urology.

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(photo credit vecteezy.com)