How to Childproof Your Holiday Decorations

The sparkling lights and colorful ornaments that brighten your home during the holiday season may fascinate young children. But when these items are handled incorrectly, they can also pose a great danger.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Large Christmas Tree Ornaments
• New Tinsel
• No-skid Door Mats
• Candy Dishes W/cover
• Subscriptions Of Emergency Numbers
• Electric Menorahs

1. Avoid placing small ornaments, lights or other decorations with small parts in places children can reach. Choking is one of the biggest dangers for young children.
2. Remember not to leave dishes of hard candies and nuts on the table. These are also items that your children can choke on.
3. Place breakable ornaments and those with sharp edges on higher branches on your tree, out of reach of prying hands.
4. Keep plants with berries (such as holly and poinsettia) out of reach, since these are poisonous if swallowed.
5. Understand that candles can be a fire hazard. Children could knock them over and start a fire or burn themselves. Therefore, be sure not to leave young children unattended when candles are lit.
6. Make sure that if you use a Christmas welcome mat, it is firmly in place and will not slip if your children run on it.
7. Check the placement of extension cords to be sure that your children will not easily trip on them.
8. Buy new tinsel, since the older kind might be made with lead.

Tips & Warnings

• Post the number for the poison control center by the phone.
• Make sure family and friends take the time to childproof their homes if you plan to visit them with your children.
• Check all your smoke detectors and replace any dead batteries.

Who Can Help:

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