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 — whether on a menorah, a luminaria or Advent candles. Never leave a fire or candles unattended, and keep them out of small hands’ reach.
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 display, not for play. Involve them by setting up an area with safe, kid-friendly toys and decorations that they can play with and arrange as they like.
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 mouths.
- 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.
These are great steps to take to keep your little ones safe and provide you with needed peace of mind.
Celebrate Safely
If your family will be having a small get-together this year, of course, that will be a fun way to celebrate the holidays and connect with loved ones, but to keep everyone safe, including your youngest guests, remember a few simple tips:
- Designate a child-safe area, 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.
Celebrating the holidays is wonderful for children, and we’re here to keep them safe.
Beware of Batteries
Button-shaped batteries power many holiday decorations and toys. These small batteries can seriously burn a child’s esophagus if swallowed. To keep children safe:
- Consider removing batteries from toys and decorations.
- Regularly check toys and decorations to make sure the 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.
Should anything happen, our expert ER doctors are on standby, ready to provide the expert care your child needs 24/7.
Stay Safe Outside Your Home
If you see an unsafe situation, such as at a restaurant or a family member’s home, 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 discuss the ground rules with your children before leaving the house so they know how to stay safe.
Keep Your Holidays Full of Magic
It’s a magical time of year full of light and joy. To fully enjoy the holidays, you can keep your family safe by discussing rules and expectations for the season. Your child’s pediatrician can also help make a customized plan to keep your children safe and return them 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, know where your closest pediatric ER is located.
