The holiday season can be a busy time of year between parties, travel, and hosting out-of-town relatives. Child safety might not be top of mind so we created this quick guide that you can refer back to all month long.

Deck the halls with safety in mind.

Choking Hazards

Some holiday decorations can pose serious choking hazards, especially for newborns and young children. Keep ornaments, pinecones, potpourri, or any other small decorations out of reach of young kids. Seasonal treats, including hard candy, should also be displayed only on a high shelf. If you have a Christmas tree, start placing ornaments and glitter garland halfway up the tree.

Secure the tree.

Make sure that your Christmas tree is securely anchored in its stand. The last thing you want is for it to come toppling down because of a curious child. You could also put up a child safety gate around the tree.

Avoid fire hazards.

Move the Menorah onto a high shelf or table after it’s lit. Keep candles out of reach and far away from the tree. String lights can also be dangerous so make sure that the ones you purchase have been tested for safety and don’t have any frayed wires. If you’re using an artificial tree, make sure that it’s labeled as fire resistant.

If you’re visiting a friend or family member’s home for a holiday party, be sure to share this blog post with them. Safety precautions can be overlooked, especially by a relative who isn’t used to having kids around.

Gifts

Create an age-appropriate wishlist of safe toys that you can share with relatives. Keep all wrapped gifts out of reach especially if there are ribbons that can become a choking hazard. Then, immediately discard the wrapping materials after your child opens a gift.

Since your little one will probably be overloaded with toys from family and friends, consider a gift that will be special for the whole family. A Bella Baby photo shoot creates beautiful, lasting memories and is a meaningful experience for your family to enjoy together. Photos can be framed and gifted to relatives.     

Going somewhere?

Are you heading out of town for the holidays? A little planning goes a long way when it comes to safety and avoiding illness. Check out our top tips for traveling with your kids this holiday season. There’s even a printable packing list.  

We at Bella Baby Photography wish you a very happy and healthy holidays!