Safe Toys and Gifts Month   Selecting Safe Toys for Your Child The holiday season is the time when most of the toys and games are purchased.  Here are some tips from the National Safe Kids Campaign for buying safe toys for children: When selecting toys, consider the child’s age, interests and skill level.  Look for quality design and construction, and follow age and safety recommendations on labels. Consider purchasing a small parts tester to determine whether small toys may present a choking hazard to children under age 3.  Small parts testers can be purchased at toy or baby specialty stores. Toys are frequently recalled for safety reasons.  Check the National Safe Kids Campaign website www.safekids.org for updates and information on recent toy recalls. Use mylar balloons instead of latex to eliminate the risk of choking or latex allergy reaction. Avoid toys with sharp points or edges, toys that produce loud noises, and projectiles (such as darts) Avoid toys with strings, straps or cords longer than 7 inches that may pose a risk for strangulation for young children. Avoid electrical toys with heating elements for children under age 8. Avoid cap guns that use caps that can be ignited by the slightest friction and can cause serious burns. Other Tips to Keep Children Safe From Toy-Related Injuries Inspect toys regularly for damage and potential hazards such as sharp edges.  Make any necessary repairs immediately, or discard damaged toys out of children’s reach. Supervise your children to keep them safe from toy-related injuries.  Get involved and actively play with your children rather than watching from a distance.  Make sure toys are used in a safe environment. Teach children to put toys away safely after playing. Source: National Safe Kids Campaign, www.safekids.org.  Eat Right During the Holidays The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family, friends, and colleagues. But holiday events pose a special challenge for healthy eating and may have the unwanted result of weight gain. A recent study suggests that most Americans gain about a pound during the winter holiday season. While this might not seem like much, this extra weight can accumulate through the years and contribute to obesity later in life. This year, whether you are a guest or holding a party yourself, try a new strategy by planning what, when, and how much you eat or serve at holiday events.   When attending a holiday buffet, select a variety of healthy foods that fit your meal plan. If you are hosting a holiday gathering, try to offer a variety of low-fat, high-fiber foods. That means fresh fruits and vegetables, grilled or broiled lean meats, fish, and turkey and chicken without the skin. Increase fiber content by serving whole grain breads and crackers, vegetables, fruits and dried fruits, or dishes including beans and legumes. Water and seltzer are both healthy, no-calorie beverages that can quench your thirst and help you feel full. There are plenty of flavored waters on the market, just read the food label to ensure that it's a no-calorie or low calorie beverage. Seltzer mixed with fruit juices or hot apple cider also makes refreshing and colorful alternatives to other more high calorie holiday beverages. If you're like most people, no matter how much you've eaten at dinner, there always seems to be room for desserts and sweets. You can still have your favorite holiday dessert, just cut down on the portion size and how often you eat these types of food. Fruit also makes for a great dessert—it tastes delicious, is filling, and provides energy Increasing your physical activity during the holidays (even if it is in small amounts) can help control weight gain. Remember, you can still enjoy the holiday season with its festivities and foods while keeping off the extra pounds through informed nutritious choices, controlled portion sizes, and increased physical activity. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year! Source:  U.S. Dept. of Agriculture & Dept. of Health and Human Services, http://www.nutrition.gov/