Parties and celebrations are a great way to spend time with family and friends, but they can also bring safety risks – especially for children. Here are some tips to help keep everyone safe while having fun.

Supervision and Childproofing

• Always know who is watching your children. A room full of people doesn’t mean someone is paying attention. If you’re busy, ask a trusted adult to help. 
• Remember that other peoples’ homes may not be childproof. Ask if you can move dangerous items higher and keep bathroom and stairway doors closed. Always keep a watchful eye on your children.
• It is important to make sure your baby has a safe space to sleep, wherever you are. For more information, check out Safe Sleeping for Your Baby – Parenting in Manitoba.

For more information on home safety, check out:

• Home Safety Checklist – Parenting in Manitoba
• Tips for Preventing Falls: Newborns to Toddlers – Parenting in Manitoba

Food, Drinks and Hidden Hazards

• Children are naturally curious, so it’s important to keep anything dangerous out of reach.
  • Drinks with alcohol or cannabis are harmful to children. Some foods – like cherry tomatoes, grapes, hard candies and nuts – can be a choking hazard for young children. Ask guests to keep food and drinks away from children. 
  • Watch out for purses and coats. They might have medicine or small items that can cause a child to choke. Put coats and bags in a closed room or closet. 
  • Be careful with house plants. Some house plants are poisonous, and some may have thorns or spikes.  
  • Fireplaces or woodstoves may be hot. Use a safety barrier so children can’t get close enough to be burned. Discourage children from playing anywhere near a fireplace or woodstove.  
• Keep sidewalks and stairways clear and clean to help prevent slips and falls. 

 Kitchen Safety  

• Keep children out of the kitchen area during meal preparation and cooking, but especially away from the stove and oven. 
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children can’t grab or bump them. Never leave an active (cooking) stove top unattended. 
•  Keep knives away from the counter edge when in use. When you’re done using them, put them in the dishwasher or sink. Do not put knives in a sink with soapy water because they’re hard to see and could cut someone’s hand.
• Keep coffee urns and hot drink containers out of children’s reach. 
• Watch out for cords and tablecloths — children might pull on them and spill hot food or drinks. 

In the Car 

• Everyone needs to wear a seatbelt every time you ride in a car. 
• Babies and young children must ride in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age and weight. For more information on car seat safety, check out:
  • Rear-facing car seats
  • Forward-facing car seats
  • Booster seats
• Put suitcases, gifts, and food in the trunk or somewhere they won’t move around. 
• In Manitoba, it’s against the law to use your cell phone or any handheld device while driving. If you do, you could lose your license right away, pay a $672 fine, and get five demerit points. 
• Never drive after drinking alcohol or using cannabis. It’s dangerous and illegal. Plan for a safe ride home, ask someone to be a designated driver, take a cab/ride-sharing service or use public transit.

More Information 

• Backyard and outdoor safety 
• Holiday food safety