The time is nearing and now with the snowy weather here in the Tri-Cities, more and more little people will be staying indoors and readying themselves for Christmas. Is there a new baby in your family? If the little one is mobile, you might want to rethink some of your old decorations – like all those sparkles and lights? Those special sparkly things will draw a baby in like nobody’s business! Just take a few extra precautions to prevent an accident. Check out these few tips:
The Tree
If you’ll have a Christmas tree this season be careful with what’s in reach of crawlers or toddlers. Keep glass or sharp ornaments off the bottom of the tree, with only plastic or wooden ornaments on the (lower branches). Keep in mind too that branches are also easy things to grab. You certainly don’t want the whole tree tumbling down. Suggested by the founder of Positive Parent Coaching Inc., is for the first few years, buy a four-foot tree and placed in on a table atop a pretty cloth. That was it is festive but out of reach, and if you can’t sacrifice the 8-foot tall sparkling wonder – baby gates are an option.
The accessories
There’s no need to throw out all of your festive decor, but make sure you aren’t placing anything dangerous within the baby’s grasp. Check garlands and wreaths for small things that could be ripped off and eaten, and if you’re buying dreidels, make sure they’re too big for baby’s mouth. Also, be wary of older strands of lights that might get very hot. Candles should be kept out of reach too. Mistletoe and holly can be toxic, so secure them where they can’t be easily knocked loose.
The gifts
If your holidays are usually punctuated by mounds of packaging, just keep an eye out for anything that could be too sharp or too small. While a wad of wrapping paper can actually make for a decent toddler distraction, we’ll warn you that ribbons and bows can be wrapped around baby’s neck or even eaten, which is especially dangerous if held together by a staple. Also, quickly toss any plastic packaging left lying around when gifts are opened, which can be a suffocation hazard.
The goodies
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas – there is one thing that pretty much all holidays have in common – lots of food! Watch out for hot dishes or pans. When you lay out the buffet do a quick check to push anything back that a baby or toddler could reach and possibly get burned from. Consider setting up a special baby-safe room, away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, where holidays games, crafts or silly toys will keep the little ones away from potential accidents.