A Practical Guide for a Safe, Stress-Free Holiday Season

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season—not to mention the tempting ornaments, holiday greenery, toys, and more—it’s crucial to keep an eye out for things your little ones can get their hands on or put in their mouths. Here’s a variety of potential hazards to be aware of this joyful, festive season. 

Decor-Related Hazards

Christmas Greenery

Jessica Pescatore, Director of the Alabama Poison Information Center (APIC) recently met with Children’s of Alabama to discuss concerns regarding hidden dangers—often wrapped in pretty packages, like holiday plants, including holly bushes and poinsettias. 

“Holly berries… if consumed in a large amount, can cause pretty significant issues with the tummy: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,” Pescatore explains. Similarly, poinsettia leaves can lead to stomach upset and pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. “That generally occurs with much larger ingestion of multiple leaves.” She suggests if you have live poinsettias in your home, keep them out of reach from your littles.

If your child consumes even just a few berries, or poinsettia leaves, go ahead and call the Alabama Poison Information Center (APIC) at 1 (800) 222-1222 to find out what to do.

As for Christmas trees…

  • Be sure to use secure tree stands to prevent tree tipping hazards
  • Be wise about pine needles if you have a live tree.
  • Don’t put small ornaments that can be easily ingested (or broken, #glass) toward the bottom of the tree.
  • Consider using ribbon hangers instead of hooks (safer alternative).
  • Keep electrical cords out of reach.

Food & Kitchen Hazards

Don’t forget to ask about ingredients if your child has allergies. It’s probably best to keep littles out of the kitchen all-together, but nonetheless, here are a few things to keep in mind. (Besides, they tend to crawl in when you’re not looking! Better safe than sorry.)

Choking Hazards

  • Nuts, popcorn, candies, grapes, hard cookies
  • Candy wrappers and small edible decorations
  • Food served by guests who may not know age-appropriate norms (Make sure your big kids know—they can be extra eyes when you’re busy or don’t notice!)

Hot Surfaces & Cooking Safety

  • Crowded kitchens and curious little hands are a dangerous combo…
  • Make sure hot stovetops, boiling water, and simmering pots are not near the counter’s edge or grabbable.
  • Prevent cords from slow cookers, kettles, and coffee pots from hanging down.
  • Don’t feel bad warning guests not to set hot food or drinks on low tables.

Gift & Toy Safety

Avoid gifting toys that come with small parts, button batteries, or magnets—and make sure older kids are picking up their toys. Don’t let the magic of unwrapping be ruined by leftover plastic wrap, twist ties, or silica packets. Throw those away as you go! Heads up: Ribbon and bows can also pose an entanglement risk.

Battery Safety

“All batteries can be a choking hazard,” Pescatore shares. The ones to keep an eye on are the disc or “button” shaped batteries. “They can cause really bad damage to the mouth, to the throat, to your respiratory system, and your GI system and cause really bad burns.” Make sure those battery compartments are screwed shut!

 

Travel Safety

Your house might be perfectly safe, but a loooot of travel happens during the holidays. Make sure to run through this mental checklist when you are spending the day (or night) at hotels, relatives’ houses, or are over at a friend’s.

  • Quick childproofing checklist: cords, blind strings, small objects
  • Safe sleep area setup (portable crib, no pillows/blankets)
  • Holiday parties at homes without outlet covers, gates, or cabinet locks
  • Being mindful of purses, medications, and breakables at toddler height
  • Don’t leave suitcase items like medications or toiletries in the suitcase on the floor in easy reach.
  • Grandparent homes often have unsecured hazards like cleaners and tools—double check!

Fire & Heat Hazards

Now that it’s cold outside, snuggling up by the fireplace sounds cozy and magical. However, open flames within reach can be dangerously enticing for children. Even the fireplace screens, candle warmers, and space heaters can become really hot and burn little fingers. Be sure to keep cords and heaters out of play areas. If you use sparklers or fireworks for New Year’s, keep them away from children and don’t let toddlers use the sparklers.

A Safe, Happy Holiday

Remember, perfection isn’t the goal—presence and safety are. If your kids find something to stick in their mouths that’s not food, welcome to the club. Don’t forget, the APIC offers free, confidential poison information and treatment recommendations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222 for poison advice for all ages.