As the holiday season approaches, you will fill your home with pretty decorations, lights and gifts that will catch your toddler’s eye and insatiable curiosity. When you have a little one in your home, you always make sure that you have covered electrical outlets and that you keep candles out of reach, but have you considered Christmas tree safety as well? Here are some tips to keep your child safe around the Christmas tree this season.
Consider Using an Artificial Tree
It is true that real Christmas trees look and smell fabulous, and it is hard to duplicate that with an artificial tree. However, when you have young children in the home, an artificial tree may be in order. If your child suffers from allergies, then he or she may develop respiratory problems around a real tree. Also think about the needles that a real tree drops to the floor. Even if you find the freshest tree you can, you will still have sharp needles falling. Young children may choke on these needles or if you have a crawler, then they can get poked. In addition, a real tree becomes dry and brittle after awhile and can pose a fire hazard, especially with all the lights on your tree. There are many beautiful artificial trees that will look just as good.
Off the Hook
The next thing you will want to consider when you are thinking about Christmas tree safety around your children are the hooks that are often used on your decorations. While these are inexpensive and easy to use, they can hurt your child. Now is the time to get rid of those sharp hooks and use something else for hanging. Consider using pretty ribbon instead. Not only will this be much safer, but it enables your child to hang decorations on the tree without help.
Pack Away the Breakables
Chances are that you have Christmas tree decorations that you love. Maybe they were handed down to you from your grandmother or mother. If they are breakable, then you will want to pack these away until your children get a little older. Instead of using your most expensive or collectible ornaments when your child is small, use this as an excuse to decorate your tree with plenty of child-made (and non-breakable) ornaments. All young children will be curious about those pretty balls and baubles. Accidents do happen, so make sure that falling ornaments will not break. The same goes for ornaments with very small pieces. These could pose a choking hazard to your child. Keep them off the tree for now.
As you can see, there are many ways you can keep your children safe around your Christmas tree this holiday season. Take some time to simplify your tree this year for the sake of your child’s safety. Follow these Christmas tree safety tips and have a merry, and child-proof Christmas.
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