Holiday Decoration Safety

Kids First Team Member
2 days ago
3 min read

Whether it’s bringing home a tree or hanging twinkly lights, decking your halls with festive decor can help make the holiday season magical. However, as HealthyChildren.org reminds us, some holiday decorations can pose risks, especially to young children. Check out some helpful tips below.

When choosing a live tree, check for freshness. The needles should be hard to pull off and should not break when you bend them. When you tap the tree on the ground, only a few needles should fall off. Cut a few inches off the bottom of the trunk before placing it in the stand, and be sure to keep the stand filled with water.
If you have an artificial tree, make sure it's labeled "fire resistant."
When you set 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. Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.
Check all lights before hanging them on a tree or in your home, even if you have just purchased them. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections. Check manufacturer’s instructions to know how many light strands you can safely connect.
Be cautious about trimmings that may contain lead. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or non-leaded materials. Light strands may contain lead in the bulb sockets and wire coating, sometimes in high amounts. Make sure your lights are out of reach of young children who might try to put lights in their mouths, and wash your hands after handling them.
Keep children away from button batteries and lithium coin batteries, which can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed. Secure battery compartments in electronic toys, string lights, flameless candles, light-up necklaces, musical ornaments, and books, for example. Wrap small batteries in tape before disposing of them.
In homes with small children, avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.
When lighting candles, remove flammable materials from the area. Place the candles where they will not be knocked over, but never leave a burning candle unattended; blow them out before leaving the room or going to bed. Do not use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens.
Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons, and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child, or can cause a fire if near flame.
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. Plug all outdoor electrical decorations into circuits with ground-fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
Place potentially poisonous holiday plant decorations out of reach of children. This includes mistletoe berries, Jerusalem cherry, and holly berry. Contact Poison Control if you suspect poisoning. Call 1-800-222-1222.