This is your baby’s first Holiday season and you are excited to share with them the sparkly lights, tinsel, ornaments, music, bows, wrapping paper, boxes, Christmas trees, candles, poinsettias and presents. However, be aware of the safety hazards that come along with the holidays. Here are some easy guidelines to help protect your little one:
ALWAYS make sure that someone is watching the baby. With so many people coming and going, it is easy to think that someone else is on “baby duty.”
Don’t overdress your baby! Most babies don’t sweat like adults do and they can’t say “Mom, I am roasting over here.” Dress them how you are dressed with one additional layer. Once inside, remove the extra layers and blankets. Take off all jackets and blankets prior to placing them in the car seat.
Be aware that not all houses are child proofed; get down on the floor and look for outlets, cords, sharp corners, cabinets that are not locked, plants and anything else that your baby could get into or put in their mouth.
Check wreaths for small parts, potential choking hazards and keep them out of reach.
Clean up immediately after parties and meals, food can fall to the floor and cause choking hazards. Empty all cups and bottles, whether it is water, juice, milk, coffee or alcohol. If your little one can reach it, they will mimic your actions and drink whatever is lying around in no time.
Hang up coats, hats, scarves and purses. People unknowingly leave things in their pockets and purses that could harm your baby.
If a fireplace is in use, make sure it is gated off; babies are attracted to the flame.
Christmas trees, if artificial, make sure it is flame resistant and if it is real, make sure it is fresh and keep it watered. Chose placement wisely and anchor the tree in the stand. If it’s too close to walls, that could mean baby will use the wall to pull up and then hang on the tree.
With Christmas lights, check the entire strand for broken bulbs or frayed wires before you put them on the tree. Put them on a timer or turn them off when you go to bed or leave the house.
Use flameless candles or keep candles out of reach. Don’t set candles on table cloths that hang down low for baby to pull on. Make sure baby is not near when you are blowing out the candles as hot wax burns.
Ornaments, tinsel, popcorn, ribbon, bows, etc. – make sure they are out of reach and up high on the tree.
Avoid putting out decorations that look like food or candy, babies might want to eat them.
Nativity scenes look fun with all the figurines and animals, but make sure to keep them out of reach.
Keep up poinsettias, mistle toe, holly and other holiday plants, they may be pretty to look at but can make babies very sick if ingested. Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Pick up all wrapping paper, plastic, ribbons and bows once your celebrations are over, these all pose tremendous choking hazards for your baby.
Only buy age appropriate toys for your baby and thoroughly check over every toy for small or lose parts. If it can fit in a toilet or paper towel roll, it is TOO small for baby. Watch for toys with pull strings. Remove all tags and strings.
Be vigilant and protect your little ones from any HOLIDAY type dangers.
Enjoy this season!
If you have little ones in your house and you’d like me to come and go over some safety suggestions to keep them safe, call me today and we will go from room to room and make a plan of protection!