FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Now that the holiday shopping blitz is officially on, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) urges shoppers to take a few minutes during this busy season to think about safety.

"We work with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center to monitor products and respond to consumer inquiries," Guy Delius, director of the Division of Public Health Protection and Safety, said in a written release. "We join forces this time of the year to make sure our citizens are informed of product defects, recalls or advisories."

Below are a few safety steps consumers can take while shopping this holiday season. For more information about toy safety and product recalls, visit the Consumer Product Safety Web site at www.cpsc.gov or contact KIPRC at 859-323-6194.

Toy safety

Follow recommended age ranges on toy packages.

Read instructions carefully before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy received as a gift.

Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times and be sized to fit when using riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates.

For children younger than 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking. Be aware that children age 3 and younger can choke on small parts and balls with a diameter of 1.75 inch or less (such as a ping pong or golf ball). Un-inflated or broken balloons are a strangulation hazard as well.

Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than a foot in length.

For children younger than 6, avoid building or play sets with small magnets.

If you are considering the purchase of an ATV (all-terrain vehicle), make sure the engine size is age appropriate. Children younger than 6 should never ride an ATV and older children should only ride those properly sized for their age group. Anyone using an ATV should complete safety training and wear protective gear, especially helmets.

Once the gifts are open

Immediately discard plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys.

Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings. Put toys away when done using.

Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to young children. Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.

Decoration Safety

Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Avoid leaded materials.

Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.

Avoid sharp and breakable decorations and keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children and pets.

Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with tinsel.

Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

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