The holiday season is a magical time best shared with family and friends. While it's wonderful to celebrate, it's also important to remember that the holidays can be a little tricky or even unsafe for little ones.
Fortunately, there are several easy things you can do to make sure your kids stay safe while still enjoying the Christmas holiday. Read on for our seven easy tips.
1. Ensure the Christmas Tree Does Not Pose a Fire Hazard
Using live trees for Christmas can look beautiful, but they can easily dry out and become a fire hazard if not cared for. Keep your tree well-watered and away from heaters or fireplaces. This keeps it fresh and safe.
If you're using an artificial tree, make sure to purchase one that is labeled "fire-resistant." Additionally, ensure the stand remains flat on the ground, and the decorations are equally distributed.
2. Keep Flames Away
Candles add warmth to the season, but they should be kept far from kids. Children should never be left alone in a room with any sources of flame or heat, such as matches, lighters, and fireplaces.
If possible, use electric candles. If you need to use regular candles, place them where they won't be knocked over and where little hands can't reach them.
3. Keep Decorations Secured or Out of Reach
Glass or heavy decorations can break and hurt small children. Some decorations can also be poisonous for children, including bubble lights and snow sprays. Keep these out of kids' reach. If your child shows any signs of being poisoned, call your doctor or Poison Control right away.
4. Keep Plants Away
In addition to breakable or poisonous decorations, make sure to keep children away from certain holiday plants like mistletoe, holly, bittersweet, Jerusalem cherry, and poinsettias. These can be dangerous, especially if eaten. Decorate with kid-safe, artificial plants instead.
5. Find Safe Toys
When buying gifts, look for toys that are age-appropriate and free of small parts that could be swallowed. If the toy requires batteries, consider staying away from those that use button batteries, which can be very dangerous if swallowed by toddlers and young kids.
6. Keep Nuts and Candies Out of Reach for Little Kids
Holiday treats like nuts and candies can be choking hazards. Put them out of reach or keep them for older kids.
7. Keep Kids Away From the Kitchen
Keep younger children away from the kitchen. In the holidays, the kitchen is usually a busy place, with hot stoves and sharp tools around. Set up a kid-friendly play area nearby to keep your kids distracted.
If that is not possible, cook on the back burners and turn the pot handles away from the front of the stove. Also, keep your oven door closed when baking.
