Birthday parties are a major rite of passage for children of all ages. They are usually lots of fun and can create a lifetime of memories. However, you will also want to consider personal safety when throwing a birthday party or when allowing your child to go to a birthday party.
The following birthday party tips will bring you peace of mind and help you keep your child safe:
1) If you’re throwing a birthday party, do a walk-through of your home before you throw the party.
Keep in mind that everyday items can be dangerous in a child’s birthday party. If you have a pool, for example, prevent pool drownings and injuries in Homestead or your community by ensuring your pool room has a self-locking gate and tall fence. Make sure any flammable products or toxic materials are stored in locked cupboards and well out of children’s hands. During a birthday party, children may wander off, and you need to make sure that every part of your home state.
2) If your child has been invited to a party, talk to the parents first.
This way, you can determine activities, supervision levels and any possible dangers. If your child has a life-threatening allergy or if there are any concerns, talking to parents can also help ease your fears.
3) Check toys before allowing a child to play with them.
If you’re buying a child’s birthday toy, look for new toys with good safety ratings. Check online websites for safety reviews. If your child is getting toys for their birthday, check for recalls and make sure that the toys are safe before handing them to your child. Make sure the toys are age-appropriate and don’t have sharp corners or any small removable pieces which can pose a choking risk. Be especially careful with homemade toys, particularly for younger children. Homemade toys can work better as decorations (kept well out of children’s reach) rather than toys for small children.
4) Use caution with decorations.
Birthday candles should only be used on the cake and be promptly removed as soon as they are blown out. If you’re using helium balloons, make sure they are near the ceiling where children cannot easily grab them. Be careful with packaging materials from birthday gifts, as some of them contain plastics which can pose an asphyxiation risk.
5) Reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Serve hot food hot and cold food cold. Make sure to keep the food rotating and properly stored. Avoid leaving food out for extended periods of time, since snacks and meals can gather bacteria. Serve smaller portions more frequently rather than putting out a large buffet seating for hours.
If you’re having a party at your home, contact each child’s parents to confirm whether there are any serious food allergies you need to be aware of. If one child has an allergy, it’s best to prepare the entire birthday party menu to avoid that one food product to avoid any possible allergic reaction.
6) Ensure proper supervision.
At your child’s birthday party, ensure that there are multiple adults supervising all times. You may want to invite a few adults guests over for a barbecue or invite the children’s parents to be part of festivities to ensure you can offer plenty of adequate supervision.
If your child has been injured at a birthday party or by a defective product, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Our law offices in Homestead, Hollywood, and Miami serve the entire South Florida area and our compassionate attorneys would be happy to speak to you about your potential case.