How to Childproof For the Holidays

 

Whether you have young children or are entertaining them this holiday season, there are a few easy things you can do to childproof for the holidays and make your home a safer place. 

The magic of the holidays is often found in the eyes of children so we want them to be healthy, happy, and safe during this time of year. With decorations and lights all around, it can all be very tempting for the kids. Keeping them safe is so important and it is easy to do!

There are five areas to consider when you’re childproofing during this festive time of year.

Electrical cords can pose a danger to our little ones and during the holidays you may find yourself using more cords than usual. The cords can be pulled on and chewed on. If they are connected to appliances or furniture, they can also be dangerous if they are pulled on and fall off. You want to be sure they are all secured and out of reach.

Electrical outlets are another danger. Make sure all of your outlets have outlet covers. I recommend covering all of the outlets, not just the ones in the area you think the kids will be in. Kids are so curious! If you’re hosting a gathering with a lot of people, it’s easy for kids to wander into areas you might not have expected.

It’s easy to check for safety in these areas. Get down low and put yourself on the same level as crawlers and toddlers to make sure you’ve caught all of the outlets and cords.

As the holidays get closer, you also want to make sure to check your window coverings. Dangling cords can pose a hazard to young children and infants. Corded window coverings are one of the top hidden hazards in our homes according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Replacing your window coverings with cordless window coverings or those with inaccessible cords for safety. When you’re shopping for window coverings, cordless options are easy to identify. Look for the Best for Kids™ certification label. Best for Kids products are currently available at all major retailers across the country.

If you cannot replace your window coverings, be sure that all of the cords are out of reach.

Whether decorating the tree or wrapping gifts, we have a lot of items out around the house that probably aren’t out during the rest of the year. The Christmas tree is going to attract the kids and the pets. Making it a safer part of your holiday decor is easy by taking care of a few things.

If you are decorating with ornaments that are fragile and breakable, be sure to place them high on the tree so little hands cannot reach them. I recommend hanging special ornaments with a sentimental value higher too to protect your heart. I also do my best to avoid putting out any decor items that have sharp edges or are difficult to secure when we’re having younger kids over to the house.

You can also consider putting up a barrier around the tree to keep children and pets away from it. If you’re worried about there being a tipping risk, consider weighting it down.

Safety can also be an issue when it comes to gift wrapping. Be sure to keep all supplies like scissors and ribbons put away when not in use. Also, consider limiting the number of bows and ribbons that you use. They can be easily removed by small hands and put into mouths.

Skip real candles and mistletoe as decor as well. Electric candles and fake mistletoe are much safer when you have children around.

If you’re entertaining, be aware of all of the menu items you are planning. Some of them can be hazards for young children.

Be sure bowls of small candies and nuts are out of reach of younger guests. They are a choking hazard.

Some adult drinks can look a lot like ones the kids enjoy. Keep spiked eggnog and punch out of the reach of children.

When you’re cooking in the kitchen, be sure to turn all the handles of pots and pans in to keep it a safer place.

You may also consider skipping table cloths when you’re setting the table. Little kids can pull on the edges that hang over and bring everything on the table down on top of themselves.

Not everyone who gives a child a gift understands exactly what is age-appropriate. So be sure to check any gifts your child receives to make sure they are okay for them to play with. You want to avoid toys where the batteries can be easily pulled out or that have small pieces that are removable.

Batteries are also a staple of Christmas with children. Maybe not, but it definitely feels that way. Be vigilant about battery storage, especially button batteries. When putting batteries in new toys, be sure the extras get put away safely. If you have visitors who may use devices like hearing aids that use button batteries, be aware of them. They can be picked up and put right in a small child’s mouth.