Children light up with joy and wonder over the holiday season. It’s a time to enjoy favorite traditions and make new memories. Lights, decorations and tempting treats make it easy for kids to get caught up in the excitement of this fun time of year. Before heading full-swing into the holidays, spend a few minutes reviewing the ground rules to keep your holidays injury-free and full of whole health.
Stay Safe Around Flames
Cooler winter nights are the perfect time to enjoy a cozy fire. Remind children to stay away from fires, outdoor fire pits and lit candles. Never leave a fire or candles unattended, and keep them out of small hands’ touch.
Enjoy Holiday Decorations, Safely
Favorite holiday decorations often have traditions and stories attached. They also tend to pose choking hazards. Remind children that certain decorations are only for looking, not playing. Involve them by setting up an area with safe, kid-friendly toys and decorations that they can play with and arrange.
Child-Proof Your Christmas Tree
Putting up the Christmas tree is a great way to spend time with family, reminisce about past holidays, and plan for this year’s celebration. Keep everyone safe by child-proofing your tree based on your children’s age and activity level:
- Check the floor for hooks or tree needles that children may step on or put in their mouth.
- Place breakable ornaments near the top of the tree.
- Secure the tree to the wall if you have curious toddlers at home.
- Use plain water in tree stands for live trees.
Celebrate Safely
Parties are a fun way to celebrate the holidays and connect with friends and relatives. Keep everyone safe, including your youngest guests, with a few simple tips:
- Designate a child-safe area for the party, such as a playroom, and be sure an adult is always with small children.
- Keep foods that pose a choking risk out of kids’ reach.
- Move heavy, breakable decorations out of reach of curious toddlers.
- Pick up leftover drinks and food not intended for children, and keep them out of reach of small, curious hands.
- Use gates to block stairs, pools or areas where young children shouldn’t be left unattended.
Beware of Batteries
Button-shaped batteries power many holiday decorations and toys. These small batteries can seriously burn a child’s esophagus if swallowed. Keep children safe:
- Consider removing batteries from toys and decorations.
- Regularly check toys and decorations to make sure compartment is closed and batteries are still there.
- Secure battery compartments with tape.
- Store button batteries well out of reach of children.
- Talk to children about the dangers of button batteries.
Stay Safe Outside of Your Home
Celebrating the holidays often includes parties and events at others’ homes. If you see an unsafe situation, don’t hesitate to speak up. Chances are your host hasn’t noticed the danger and will be happy to keep everyone healthy during the festivities. It’s also important to talk to your children before heading to parties so they know the ground rules to stay safe.
Keep Your Holidays Full of Magic
The holidays are an important time of year to spend with family and friends. You can keep your family safe by discussing rules and expectations for the holiday season. Your child’s pediatrician can also help make a plan to keep children safe and return children to health and wellness if they do become sick or injured.
To make your holiday safety plan with one of our expert pediatricians, or make your emergency plan if an accident, illness or injury occurs during the holidays by knowing your closest pediatric ER, such as AdventHealth for Children. Call us at
Call855-303-DOCS for more information.
