It’s less than 2 months until Christmas and if you’re anything like me your planning is at full blast. There are presents to buy, Christmas Markets to visit, dinners to be planned and relatives to be visited. In short: the run-up to Christmas can be incredibly hectic. To ensure that you’re having a fun and safe holiday season, I’ve got 10 Christmas safety tips for you and your family!
Christmas Safety Tips for you and your family
This Little Light of Mine
This might be the most common and obvious of all Christmas safety tips, but do not place candles near materials that are easily flammable. This includes wrapping paper, decorations, blankets or Christmas trees. Under no circumstances, leave candles unattended or burning overnight.
Christmas dinner
Statistically, the kitchen and the bathroom are the most dangerous rooms of the house as this is where most household accidents occur. Therefore, be extra careful this Christmas when preparing Christmas dinner. Give yourself enough time for your preparations and cooking, and keep the number of people in your kitchen as low as possible. Wipe up spills immediately to avoid slipping and don’t rush. When we’re in a hurry, we’re less concentrated and more prone to cause accidents with boiling water, fat or sharp knives.
Driving Home For Christmas
During the holidays, it seems like everyone is dashing around trying to wrap up their Christmas shopping, visiting friends or family and attending Christmas parties. Therefore, it’s important to follow some simple safety rules! If you’re attending a party and drink, don’t drive. Plan lots of breaks for long trips or swap with a partner. Carry snow chains or drive with winter tyres in regions prone to snow and don’t forget warm blankets for emergency stops. It’s also always useful to brush up on your first aid and health and safety skills. Carry a first aid kit and check in with organisations such as SHEilds who provide training.
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
We love to have a little boogie, especially when the prosecco and mulled wine are flowing. Before you get your dancing shoes on, however, have a quick tidy up. Falls are super common, so keep the floor free from clutter and make sure your rooms and stairs are well lit. Small toys or pieces of plastic are also a choking hazard for little ones. So you’re really killing two birds with one stone by creating a safe environment.
Little toy dolls that cuddle and coo
When buying toys as Christmas gifts make sure that they are age-appropriate and comply with safety standards in your country. Here’s an overview of toy safety regulations worldwide to give you an idea what to look out for.
Christmas Lights
Christmas lights can be a real safety hazard, so consider buying new ones if you have old lights that don’t meet safety standards. Also, remember not to overload electrical sockets or combine extension cords. Certification marks are a good indicator for safe products, so keep an eye out for them. Before each use, check that there are no broken, loose, or missing bulbs, and make sure that none of the wires are damaged.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
But make sure to keep it our of reach of small children. Holly, mistletoe, Christmas rose, and Jerusalem cherry are toxic if eaten. There are pretty artificial alternatives around, so maybe check those out instead. Another item that should be kept away from little ones is snow spray. It’s not only incredibly sticky, breathing it in can also harm kids’ airways.
Get my hands on the fella that said Christmas shoppin’s fun
Christmas shopping can be super stressful if you can’t leave your kids with a partner or grandparent, so make sure to follow these safety tips for Christmas shoppers with kids in tow: Don’t let kids go on escalators unsupervised and ensure they hold your hand and face forward when riding them. When using a shopping trolley follow the guidelines displayed on the trolley and never let your child ride on the side or back of the trolley. Don’t let them climb on or crawl under displays. They can tip and fall on your child, resulting in severe injuries. If your child is a wanderer, teach them to look for a shop assistant if they’ve lost you or tell them to stay where they are and call for their mummy or daddy. Alert security and stay calm.
Don’t let kids go on escalators unsupervised and ensure they hold your hand and face forward when riding them. When using a shopping trolley follow the guidelines displayed on the trolley and never let your child ride on the side or back of the trolley. Don’t let them climb on or crawl under displays. They can tip and fall on your child, resulting in severe injuries. If your child is a wanderer, teach them to look for a shop assistant if they’ve lost you or tell them to stay where they are and call for their mummy or daddy. Alert security and stay calm.
Santa isn’t the only one coming to town
If you are pregnant this Christmas, it is quite likely that you’ll have to avoid some of the foods served up for Christmas dinner. Cheese boards with unpasteurised cheese, pate, prawn cocktail or desserts using raw eggs are a no-go this year. Alcohol should also be avoided, but don’t fear, there are lots of fantastic non-alcoholic Christmas drinks that taste just as nice as the real deal. Pinterest is a great resource!
We Woof You A Merry Christmas
Your pets are just as much a part of your family as great-aunt Gelda. With these Christmas safety tips, your four-legged friends will stay safe and happy this holiday season!
If possible place your Christmas tree out of reach of your pet. If this isn’t an option, don’t leave your pet alone with your tree. Your cat or dog can get strangled in low hanging Christmas lights or even shocked if they bite through the wire. While pretty, tinsel and ornaments can block your pet’s intestines and cause severe damage requiring surgery.
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