Christmas Safety:
Enjoying the Season Safely

Christmas safety is something to keep in mind over the holiday season. There is so much going on and everyone is rushing and busy.

So, it’s easy to overlook very common hazards that come up during this time. There are certainly more “things” that create dangers and so your attention has to be a bit higher.

But, aside from that, I have to admit, Christmas is my favorite time of year. Everything is beautiful and decorated. People are just that much nicer. I just love it.

And, once I take some Christmas safety precautions to continue to keep my children safe, I am really able to enjoy the season--
the sights, the sounds and the smiles of the children!

Christmas Safety Tips

Printable Version

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant."


• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break.

  The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.



• Other Christmas safety points: When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.


• Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.


• Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.

Lights

• When focusing on Christmas safety, never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.


• Use only decorative lights that have been safety tested. Look for the UL Label from Underwriters Laboratories on all light cords.


• Know these outdoor Christmas lights safety tips: Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

  To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.








• Check all tree lights-even if you've just purchased them-before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections. Click here for more information on electrical fires.


• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.


• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Decorations and Christmas Tree Safety Tips

• It's important to remember in terms of Christmas safety to use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.







• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Place candles where they will not be knocked down. Click here for general information on candle safety outside of Christmas safety.





• Always use non-flammable candle-holders, Kinara, Advent wreaths, and Menorahs. If your children play an active part in Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Advent candle-lighting ceremonies, make sure there is constant adult supervision.













• When you have small children and you are focusing on Christmas safety, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.

  Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid your child swallowing or inhaling small pieces.

  And avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt your child to eat them.








• When decorating your Christmas tree, pay attention to the age of your child.

  Put unbreakable ornaments on the lower branches as your child will want to play with or touch the new decorations in the house.











• Also, be aware of where your children are during the decorating times.

  It’s hard to watch your child every second when you have split focus between watching them and trying to decorate the tree.



• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.


• Removing all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened is step in Christmas safety that you don't want to forget. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to your child or can cause a fire if near flame.

Toy Safety

• An extremely important aspect in Christmas safety is making sure you select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of your child.

  Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.

  For more information on buying safe toys, click here.










• Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully.


• To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don't give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.


• Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.


• Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons.


• Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.


• Click here for more information on child toy safety hazards.

Fireplaces and Christmas Fire Safety

• Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.


• Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.


• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.


• Click here for more in depth information on fireplace safety.

This page is specific to Christmas safety for your family. For information on general holiday safety, visiting and food safety, click here.

Teach your children how wonderful the holiday seasons are as well as how to enjoy them safely.

And, once you have taken the steps to help ensure your child‘s safety, you will be able to relax and enjoy this beautiful time with your family.

Return to Top

Related Articles

Halloween Safety

Toy Safety

Toy Safety Guidelines


Return from this page to Holiday Safety

Return from Christmas Safety to The Baby Safety Site Homepage