The holiday season can be a busy time of year between parties, travel, and hosting out-of-town relatives. With all the excitement of the holiday season, we’ve put together a quick guide filled with essential health and safety tips to help keep your little ones safe throughout the holiday season.
Deck the halls with safety in mind
Choking hazards
Some holiday decorations can pose 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 on a high shelf. If you have a Christmas tree, start placing ornaments and glitter garland halfway up the tree.
Secure the tree
Ensure your Christmas tree is securely anchored in its stand to prevent any tipping—especially with curious little ones around! Consider adding a child safety gate around the tree for extra protection.
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. Be sure extinguish all candles and turn off or unplug any string lights before going to bed for the night. 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.
Holiday health precautions
With cold and flu season in full swing, taking extra precautions can make a big difference. Make sure to wash hands frequently, especially after being in public spaces or handling gifts. Encourage guests to do the same or use hand sanitizer to minimize the spread of germs. If anyone is feeling under the weather, consider asking them to wait to meet your newborn until they’re back to full health.
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 kids this holiday season. There’s even a printable packing list.
We at Bella Baby Photography wish you a very happy and healthy holidays!
