Staying safe in the holidays
The holidays are here, which means making time to decorate your home or tree, shop for the perfect gifts, and attend holiday celebrations. It also means being aware of hidden holiday dangers, particularly for the little ones.
Many people choose to decorate their homes and display a Christmas tree during the holiday season. Young children are naturally curious, and the draw of a decorated Christmas tree might be too much for them to resist. To keep them safe, choose your holiday decorations wisely. You might want to consider an alternative to the traditional Christmas tree. Try stacking different sizes of terra cotta pots on top of each other to form a tree. Wrap twine around the pots and hang ornaments from the twine. Or, build a pine cone tree using a floral foam cone and use floral picks to attach the cones to the foam. If you decide to display a fresh-cut tree, keep it moist with frequent watering as dry needles pose a fire hazard. If you choose to display an artificial tree, make sure it is made of fire-resistant material. Do not put potentially harmful or breakable gifts under the tree where children can get to them.
While parents and grandparents are likely looking for the latest gadget to purchase for their kids, keep in mind that the most popular toy may not be the most age-appropriate gadget for the little ones. Age recommendations on toys are about safety, not the child’s ability. Inspect toys before giving them to your child. Make sure they are in good condition and do not have parts that could break off and be swallowed. Kids will be receiving toys not only from their parents, but also well-meaning adults in their lives who may not be aware of age-appropriate recommendations or safety hazards. Perhaps you can encourage relatives to give your young one experiences instead of toys. A trip to a new park or zoo gives your child opportunities to explore and can help make memories for the whole family.
Shopping can also present safety risks for young children, especially with the holiday crowds. Parents can easily get distracted and kids are intrigued by elaborate store decorations, which can create a surprising number of risks. Holiday displays are only temporary so not all stores secure their mannequins and displays, which can easily be toppled over and can cause serious injury. Contrary to typical parenting advice, discourage exploration while shopping during this busy holiday season. Instead, try keeping your child entertained by counting how many red things they see or play ‘I Spy Santa’ to see who can spy the most Santas during a shopping trip. Include the kids in your shopping by asking them to help decide between certain gifts, or start a new tradition by allowing them to pick out a soft ornament to hang on the tree.
Keeping in the holiday spirit might also include hosting or attending a holiday celebration. If you are going to be hosting celebrations, ensure that children are supervised. Think about asking several trusted adults to take turns supervising the children throughout the event. This will allow everyone time to enjoy the party. Remember, if you assume that everyone at the party is watching your children, you might end up with no one watching them.
Whichever way you and your family choose to celebrate this holiday season, be considerate about the safety of everyone around, especially the littlest of holiday revelers!