Child Safety in the Home at Christmas

The holiday season can bring unique safety challenges for families with young children and pets.

Christmas decorations, bustling activities, and holiday treats help make the holidays special. However, they can also create a variety of unrecognized hazards.

If you house or plan to host small children or pets for the holidays, the MCHD recommends the following precautions to help keep the holidays merry and bright for everyone.

Tree Safety

Anchor Your Tree: Christmas trees can be a tipping hazard. Secure your tree to the wall or use a heavy, stable stand to prevent it from toppling if a child pulls or leans on it.

Choose Ornaments Wisely: Decorations made of shatterproof material are best. Hang delicate ornaments high so they’re out of reach, and avoid ornaments with small parts that could become choking hazards. Use hooks that are difficult for small hands to remove.

Holiday Lights

Inspect Cords: Check light strands for frayed wires, loose connections, or damaged sockets. Damaged lights can cause fires and shock hazards.

Keep Lights Out of Reach: Avoid stringing lights on the tree's lower branches where curious toddlers and pets can reach them.

Beware of Mercury Bulbs: Some older light strands or specialty bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, which can be toxic. If you use these, ensure they are securely fastened and out of children's reach. If a mercury bulb breaks, carefully clean the area following proper guidelines to avoid exposure.

Turn Off Lights: Always turn off decorative lights when leaving the house or going to bed to reduce fire risks.

Holiday Fireplace Safety

Use a Screen: If you have a fireplace, use a sturdy screen to keep children from getting too close.

Stockings: Avoid hanging stockings or decorations too close to the fire or other active heat source.

Gift Hazards

Check Age Appropriateness: Ensure all toys are suitable for your child’s age and abilities. Be extra cautious with gifts that have small parts which could pose a choking risk. Likewise, supervise your child’s activity if gifts have moving parts or other potential safety hazards.

Dispose of Packaging Promptly: Small plastic parts, twist ties, sharp packaging, and even wrapping paper can become hazardous for people and pets if left on the floor.

Holiday Plants

Some festive plants, like poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly, are toxic if ingested. Display them out of children’s reach.

Kitchen Safety

The kitchen can be busy during the holidays. Keep knives, hot dishes, and other kitchen items out of the reach of small children and pets.

Supervise Around Candles

Candlelight adds a festive glow, but open flames are dangerous. Battery-operated candles are a much safer alternative.

Alcohol Safety

If you're hosting a party, be mindful of where alcoholic beverages are placed. Spilled drinks and forgotten cups can lead to accidental ingestion by curious children and pets.

Set Boundaries for Guests and Children

If you have visitors, remind them to keep medications, sharp objects, and small personal items like coins or jewelry stored safely out of reach.

Consider creating a safe zone where children and pets can play away from potential hazards.

Celebrating Safely

Christmas is a magical time for children, but accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. By taking these precautions, you can minimize risks and focus on making holiday memories.

Check out the following resources for more tips on child safety and injury prevention at Christmastime.

The Moultrie County Health Department staff wishes each of you a safe and happy holiday season.