Happy Holidays from your Markham and Greater Toronto Orthodontist and TeamMCO

As another year comes to a close, we want to thank the Markham and Greater Toronto community for their continued support of Markham Centre Orthodontics. With your beautiful smiles, kind referrals, and wonderful experiences, we have continued to grow into the choice for braces and Invisalign in this part of the 905.



With the holidays fast approaching, Dr. Tam and TeamMCO would like to wish everyone an amazing and safe holiday season. For those hard-to-buy-for people on your shopping list, don't forget to consider the gift of a smile that will last a lifetime!

For your reference, below are some of the safety tips from the Canadian Red Cross during this season. We hope you all enjoy some time to spend with loved ones and a fantastic, healthy New Year!
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Safety Tips for the Holidays from the Canadian Red Cross

Be careful with holiday candles - Keep candles away from decorations or other combustible materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits.

Deck the halls with safety in mind - When decorating with lights, make sure they are certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Always unplug all lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Prevent choking - For children, small toys and special foods can be an incident waiting to happen. Ensure toys are appropriate for the age of the child, and won't create a danger for younger children in the household.

Keep Christmas trees fresh - Choose a fresh Christmas tree and secure it in a sturdy stand. Place the tree away from heat sources and exits and check water levels daily. If you purchase an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.

Prepare for holiday parties - Decorate only with flame-retardant or noncombustible materials. If guests will be smoking, provide them with large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. After the party, check under sofa cushions and in trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.

Designate a driver - When attending a party, designate a non-drinking driver. If you are hosting a holiday gathering, be sure there are non-alcoholic beverages for guests who are driving and arrange for alternate transportation for guests who drink.

Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves - Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary. Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Burn only wood—never burn paper or pine boughs.

Buckle up - During the holiday season, more people are on streets and highways. Ensure that all passengers are wearing safety belts. Seat children in the back seat of the car and in approved safety seats if younger than eight years old (less than 60 pounds), or according to local law.

Enroll in a First Aid & CPR course - Although these tips can help prevent an emergency, it is also important to be prepared should an emergency situation arise. To enroll in a first aid or CPR course, contact your local Canadian Red Cross.