Even if the house is kid-proof or pet-proof the rest of the year, holiday decorations pose special hazards. Those vintage bubble-lights from Grandma might have a frayed wire. Christmas trees are laden with choking hazards and sometimes also fire hazards. To a playful dog, some extension cords look like chew toys. And of course, a lit Hanukkah menorah is an accident waiting to happen.No need to be a party-pooper, though! Just follow these basic holiday safety tips to keep small kids, dogs and cats safe:
— Avoid decorating with real plants like holly, poinsettia and mistletoe, which are all poisonous when ingested. Choose fabulous fakes instead.
— Place candles and menorahs out of reach of kids and pets. If a toddler is especially fascinated with the candles, consider setting up his or her playpen near them but not close enough to touch.
— Placing a screen around the tree keeps curious kids and pets out of the decorations - and the presents!
— Choose decorations carefully. Tinsel is a choking hazard (and something cats love to eat - which can be very dangerous for their digestive system), angel hair is spun glass, and these decorations almost always find their way off the tree and around the rest of the house. Better to choose different decorations altogether than to take a chance!
— Be sure adults know not to leave hot drinks where curious kids or playful pets can reach them or bump into them.
— Practice kitchen safety. Make sure pot handles are turned inward on the stove, and that pans of hot food aren't on the edge of the counter within reach of a small child. And of course, store food safely and promptly when the party is finished!
— Clean up the night after the Christmas or Hanukkah party or family gathering. A whole house-cleaning isn't necessary, but do make sure that all cups of alcoholic beverages and random cigarette butts are disposed of before going to bed - because the kids will probably wake up earlier than the grown-ups and might sample these forbidden items.
— Make sure dogs and cats have a quiet place to go in the house - they can get stressed out by large crowds and run out. Of course, a collar with a name tag on it is a good idea any time of year!
— Many accidents involving small children happen when everyone thinks someone else is watching the kids. If Mom needs to work in the kitchen and Dad's running a holiday errand, they should designate another responsible family member to watch the kiddos.
Keeping kids, dogs and cats safe during the holidays requires extra vigilance, but taking steps to ensure their safety ahead of time means a happier, more relaxed holiday for everyone! Adopted From http://www.suite101.com/
