The holidays are full of fun and excitement, but many seasonal items — from trees and decorations to toys and gifts — can also bring safety risks. Careful planning can help prevent injuries. These simple tips will keep your family safe while enjoying the season.
Parties and Celebrations
For many families, parties and celebrations are a big part of the holidays. While you celebrate, it is important to keep everyone safe. Check out these helpful tips to make sure your holiday gatherings are safe and enjoyable: Keeping your Family Safe at Parties and Celebrations.
Holiday Trees
If you choose a real tree:
- Pick a fresh, green tree. The needles should stay on, and the branches should bend, not snap.
- Water your tree every day so it does not dry out. It might need about one litre of water each day. Use clean water to water the tree.
- Clean up fallen needles every day — they can be sharp on fingers and toes.
- Keep your tree away from heaters, fireplaces and any other sources of heat.
- Make sure your tree is secure in the stand and will not tip over.
If you choose an artificial (fake) tree:
- Look for a label that says “fire resistant.” These trees are safer but can still catch fire.
Other safety tips
- Never leave young children or pets alone near the tree.
- If you have pets, let them check out the tree before you decorate it. This helps them get used to it and makes them less curious later. That way, they are less likely to eat ornaments or knock the tree over.
Decorations and Ornaments
- Do not use tinsel. Children and pets can swallow it and get sick with digestive problems. It can also get wrapped around their fingers and cut off blood flow.
- Put small or breakable ornaments high on the tree or out of reach on high shelves so young children can’t reach them. Save glass ornaments for when your children are older.
- Remember decorations are not toys and do not have the same safety standards as toys. This means that they may not be safe for children to touch or play with.
- Young children may eat decorations that look like food (red berries, for example). Keep these out of sight and reach.
- Limit stair handrail decorations. They can make the rail hard to hold and may cause someone to fall.
Holiday Lighting
- Make sure your lights work properly and have safety labels like CSA, cUL or cETL.
- Screw bulbs in tightly and turn off lights before bed or when leaving home.
- Old lights (incandescent or non-LED) can get hot, so keep them away from things that can burn. Use outdoor lights outside and indoor lights inside.
- Some lights have chemicals that can make you very sick if swallowed or touched. Check product safety labels for warnings and keep lights away from children.
- Secure cords and light strands so people don’t trip.
- Always be careful when using a ladder. Be sure the ladder is on a flat surface and you can comfortably reach what you are working on.
Candles
- Use battery-powered candles instead of real ones. They are safest.
- If you use real candles, put them in sturdy candle holders that will not tip over.
- Be careful with loose sleeves or long hair when around candles — they can catch fire. Never reach over one candle to light another.
- Never leave candles burning if you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Keep real candles away from children, pets, trees, decorations and wrapping paper.
Did you know?
Holiday injuries are like injuries that occur any time of the year. Prepare your home for holiday and year-round safety by:
- Installing and checking your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
- Checking your home and reducing hazards with these home safety checklists for children and older adults
Toys and Gifts
- Pick toys that match your child’s age. Check the age suggestion label on the package.
- Know what toys contain button batteries or magnets. They can cause serious injuries when swallowed or placed in noses or ears.
- Follow the instructions to put toys together and use them safely.
- Keep toys with small parts away from babies and toddlers. They can choke.
- Teach older children to be careful with toys that have small parts.
- Make a “small toy zone” where only older children play, like in a separate room.
- Let older children play with small toys when younger children are sleeping and clean up the toys after they are finished playing.
Check for toy recalls by visiting http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/.
For more information on toy and gift safety, check out:
- 10 Reasons Toys End up on Health Canada’s Naughty List
- Small parts in Toys
- Lead and Cadmium in Children’s Jewellery
Button batteries are found in toys, gifts and novelty items sold for the holidays and other household items like watches and remote controls. They are round and flat, like a button. They can cause serious burns and injuries.
- It is important to act quickly if your child swallows a button battery.
- If you think your child has swallowed a button battery, do not wait for symptoms. Take your child to the nearest hospital, nursing station or health centre as soon as possible.
- A swallowed button battery can cause severe internal chemical burns in as little as 2 hours. Batteries can also cause burns if they get stuck in ears or noses.
- Know which items in your home contain button batteries, such as musical gift cards, novelty items that light up, TV remotes, key fobs, flameless candles, string lights and many toys and games.
- Look for products with battery compartments that prevent easy access. For example, screw-closed compartments are harder to get into than those that slide to open.
- Regularly check that button battery compartments are secure.
- Always supervise children when they play with items that use button batteries
For more information on battery safety, check out Battery safety.
- Keep toys with small, strong magnets away from children. Always read and follow safety warnings and age recommendations on toys with magnets.
- Swallowing magnets can cause serious injuries or even death.
- If a child swallows more than one magnet, they can stick together inside the body and cause damage or block the digestive system. If someone swallows a magnet, get medical help right away.
- Magnets can be found in products such as jewelry, fridge magnets, clothing accessories and toys including building toys, train sets and board games.
For more information on magnet safety, check out Magnet safety
Gift tags, gift bags, wrapping paper, plastic bags, plastic wrap, ribbons and bows can be dangerous for young children. They can choke or suffocate on these items. After opening gifts, put all wrapping and packaging somewhere children cannot reach.
Winter Safety
For many families, spending time outdoors is a part of the holiday season. Here are some tips for keeping safe in cold weather:
- Dress in layers to stay warm and dry.
- Be sure your head, hands and feet are warm by wearing warm hats, mittens or gloves and winter-rated boots.
- Always wear a helmet for skating, sledding, or skiing.
- Pick sledding hills that are far from roads and don’t have trees or rocks.
- Never play on frozen rivers or lakes unless an adult says it’s safe. The clear part of the ice should be a minimum of five centimetres (two inches) before it is safe to walk on. If you are not sure, stay off the ice.
- Wear bright clothes or reflectors so cars can see you near roads.
For more information on keeping your baby warm in the winter, check out Keeping your baby warm in winter – Parenting in Manitoba
Resources
Health Links-Info Santé: If you have questions about your health, you can call Health Links-Info Santé 24 hours a day to speak to knowledgeable, experienced nurses free of charge. Call 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 toll-free elsewhere in the province.
Manitoba Poison Centre: If you think you or someone you love has been exposed to a dangerous substance, you can call the Manitoba Poison Centre at 1-844-POISON-X or 1-844-764-7669 (toll-free) for help. They can also provide information to help you prevent poisonings. Check out their website here: Manitoba Poison Centre
