Holiday Safety Tips for Parents

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and spending quality time with your loved ones. As a parent, you want to ensure your children are safe and happy during this festive time. However, with all the excitement and distractions, it can be easy to overlook potential dangers. That’s why we’ve put together some essential holiday safety tips for parents to help you keep your family safe and secure while you enjoy the holiday season.

Tree Safety

Picking out and decorating the Christmas tree is an annual tradition for many families. While there’s nothing cozier than the warm glow of a tree, it’s essential to take certain precautions, especially with little ones in your home. Christmas tree safety is no joke, and it’s important to be aware of any hazards that can come with this beloved holiday decoration.

If your family traditions include picking out a live tree, find the freshest tree possible (fresh trees have bright green needles that don’t shed if you give a branch a shake). Ask the tree farmer to cut 2” from the trunk so your tree can absorb water easily once home.
Water your tree daily—a fresh and hydrated tree is less likely to catch fire.
If your family traditions include decorating an artificial tree, opt for one that is flame-retardant and safety-tested.
Your tree should be sturdy, secure, and not easily toppled. If your kids are younger and prone to playing with the tree, consider a tabletop tree instead. Otherwise, set up that baby gate perimeter!
To prevent overheating and potentially catching fire, position your tree at least three feet from any heat source, including fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, and televisions.
Eliminate any small ornaments that are a choking hazard (anything that will fit inside a toilet paper roll is too small).
Don’t light candles near or on your Christmas tree (or use battery-operated candles instead).
Choose LED lights for your tree—they’re more energy efficient, they last longer, and they don’t get hot to the touch (tiny fingers are safe!).
Use indoor UL-listed lights on your tree.
Turn your lights off any time you leave the house and when you go to bed. Leaving them unattended is a serious fire hazard.

Safe Decorating

If you’re anything like us, you’re eager to deck the halls as soon Thanksgiving winds down. But, some holiday decorations can pose safety hazards if not used properly. These tips will keep you on the (right) festive track.

Mistletoe and holly berries are toxic when ingested—if they’re part of your decor, ensure they’re well out of reach of your kiddos. Poinsettias aren’t poisonous, but they will cause an upset tummy.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against using decor that looks like treats or candy. They’re extra tempting to curious kiddos.
It’s fun to include the family in decking the halls. Find some kid-safe ornaments and decorations and let their creativity go wild. It’s a bonus that they’re occupied and will let you take care of the festive business.
Instead of traditional candles, opt for flameless versions. You’ll eliminate the risk of burns and fire hazards.
Make sure any trimmings, faux icicles, and tinsel are lead-free.
Avoid wreaths, swags, and garlands with small elements (like berries or ornaments) that can be plucked off and swallowed (or make sure they’re hung out of reach).
If dreidels are displayed with your holiday decor, they should be too big to fit in your child’s mouth to avoid choking.
Ornament hooks can puncture skin and be dangerous if swallowed. Hang ornaments by the string on any low branches your children can reach.

Food and Drink Safety

No holiday is complete without a feast (even if it’s takeout). If your plans include preparing a big meal, you’ll want to follow these tips to keep your little ones safe in and out of the kitchen.

When cooking on the stovetop, use the back burners and keep all pot and pan handles angled away from the front of the stove.
If your small kiddos (under three) are going to be in the kitchen while you’re cooking, make sure they’re in a high chair, playpen, or in a gated space.
Always keep the oven door closed and locked.
Keep your appliances clean to avoid grease fires.
Popular party snacks like nuts or popcorn are choking hazards for young children, so make sure they’re out of reach of any tiny fingers.
Childproof drawers with sharp utensils.
Make sure the kiddos aren’t close when you’re carrying hot dishes or pans.
Have a working fire extinguisher handy.
Alcohol poisoning is a common risk during the holiday season. Don’t leave open cups out (kids model adult behavior, so they may copy what they see you doing) and dispose of any empty or partially empty cups immediately. Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous for children.

Indoor Safety

In addition to following these holiday safety tips, do a thorough babyproofing of your home before hosting friends and family.

Test your smoke and carbon dioxide alarms to make sure they’re in working order.
Don’t overload your outlets.
Have your fireplace inspected, and use a sturdy fireplace screen when burning fires.
Don’t burn paper or pine needles—they can float out of your chimney and ignite on your roof or your neighbor’s home.
Don’t throw discarded wrapping paper into the fire—it can cause a flash fire.
Clean up gift wrap, bows, and ribbons as soon as presents are opened. Long ribbons are a strangulation hazard, and bows may be swallowed (they can also contain staples that will prick curious fingers).
Plastic packing materials are a major suffocation hazard. Never leave them lying around.
Secure extension cords against the walls in high-traffic areas so that no one trips on them.
Always make sure a grownup is the designated kiddo-watcher. In a group of adults, it’s easy for everyone to assume that someone is watching the kids, but because of that, no one is. “Assigning” that role prevents the chance that children are left unsupervised.

Outdoor Safety

Kudos to braving the elements to create a festive facade! Don’t forget to take extra care any time you’re using a ladder.

Use outdoor UL-listed lights for any outside decorations.
Don’t hang lights with metal nails, brads, or tacks, and don’t hang them on metal gutters to avoid electrical shock.
Make sure any light strands are high off the ground, securely fastened, and can’t be tugged loose by little ones.
If you’re using a ladder to hang lights, make sure no kiddos are close by and that you put the ladder away as soon as you’re finished.

Toy Safety

Gathering your family together and watching your kids open their presents might be the most joyous part of the holiday—knowing the toys are completely safe is just the cherry on top.

Always choose age-appropriate toys. Not only does it avoid the inclusion of small parts that are choking hazards, but it will also spare everyone frustration-induced tantrums.
If you’re purchasing a toy for a child with special needs, check in with a parent for any sensory issues first.
Mind electronic toys with batteries, button batteries in particular—they’re a choking hazard.
If you buy any ride-on toys (bikes, scooters, trikes, etc.) or roller skates, buy helmets and pads, too.
If you value walking (and little ears not hearing “colorful” language), pick up any LEGO pieces as soon as playtime time is over.

Travel Safety

Car accidents are more common during the holidays, so it’s even more essential that you ensure the safety of your smallest passengers.

Make sure all children are buckled in every time you travel by car. And any passenger under thirteen should ride in the back seat.
Winter coats and car seats do not mix! Never buckle your child into a car seat while they’re wearing a thick coat or jacket. Place the coat (or a blanket) over your little one after they’re safely secured in their seat.
Never drink and drive.
Take extra care while driving on Christmas and New Year’s Eves—there are more impaired drivers on the road during these holiday nights.

The holiday season is a magical time for families to come together, create lasting memories, and celebrate annual traditions. Being conscious of holiday safety will ensure that the merriest season is filled with joy, lots of laughs, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your children are safe and happy. From kid-friendly decorations to safe travel, these tips will help you navigate the holidays with confidence. Albee Baby wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

Finding What’s Right for You

Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents and hope you feel empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or [email protected].