Tips for Keeping Children Safe During the Yuletide Season

The U.S. Department of Transportation offers its “Top 10 Holiday Travel Safety Tips” for families on the go:

1. Whether traveling by automobile or airplane, remember that everyone--especially children--should be buckled up at all times.

2. When driving, properly secure children in the child safety seat appropriate for their age and size. Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag. The back seat is the safest place for all children.

3. Before bicycling or skating--even if it is just around the corner--children should always wear properly fitted helmets and appropriate safety gear.

4. When walking, always stop at the curb; look left, right and left again before crossing the road. At intersections, pay special attention to turning vehicles. Children younger than 10 should cross with a grown-up or older child.

5. When children run outside and play, remind them never to play on or near railroad tracks.

6. While preparing for a boating excursion, remember that children should always wear life jackets on or around water.

7. Always wear bright-colored clothing when walking or biking. At night, children should wear markers that reflect light.

8. When shopping for presents at the mall and riding on an escalator, children should stand facing forward, always hold the handrail, never touch the sides or sit on the stairs. Make sure all coats, buttons, shoes and hoods are properly fastened before boarding the escalator. Before boarding an elevator, and make sure doors are properly opened. Never try to stop a closing elevator with anything.

9. Remember that the bed of a pickup is for transporting holiday packages--never children.

10. Children should never play near a subway platform edge or by the curb at a bus stop.

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Regular exercise and stretching keep muscles limber while decreasing stress.

Children should be appropriately outfitted for outdoor play.

For outdoor athletes, UV-protection sunglasses are a must.