Holiday Safety Tips

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year, filled with family gatherings, special traditions and delicious treats. However, it’s also a time when extra safety precautions are needed to ensure your celebrations are both joyful and safe.

Here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe and healthy throughout the season: 

Trees

• Artificial trees: When buying an artificial tree, look for the label “fire resistant.”
• Live trees: Choose a fresh tree. A fresh tree is green, its needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent, the needles don’t break. The trunk should be sticky with resin, and when tapped, the tree shouldn’t lose many needles.
• Tree placement: Keep your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and portable heaters. Make sure it’s not blocking doorways or in high-traffic areas.
• Fresh tree care: Cut a few inches off the trunk to expose fresh wood, which helps with water absorption. Keep the stand filled with water to prevent the tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. 

Lights

• Electric lights on metallic trees: Never use electric lights on a metallic tree to avoid the risk of electrocution.
• Outdoor lights: Check the labels to make sure they’re certified for outdoor use. Hang them using insulated staples or hooks, not nails or tacks, and avoid pulling on the lights when removing them.
• Indoor lights: Inspect all lights—old and new—before use. Check for broken sockets, frayed wires and loose connections.
• Outdoor electric decorations: Plug these into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to avoid shocks.
• Light safety for children: Some light strands contain lead in the bulb sockets and wire coating. Keep these out of reach of children and wash your hands after handling them.

Candles

• Candle placement: Place candles away from anything flammable and never leave them unattended. Only burn candles when a responsible adult is present.
• Sturdy holders: Use sturdy holders and place them on stable surfaces, away from drafts, curtains, children and pets. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.

Decorations

• Flame-resistant materials: Use non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim your tree. Avoid using lighted candles on or near evergreens.
• Sharp or small decorations: In homes with young children, avoid sharp or breakable decorations and anything with small, removable parts that could be a choking hazard. Steer clear of trimmings that resemble candy or food to prevent children from trying to eat them.

Toy safety

• Age-appropriate toys: Choose toys suitable for the child’s age, abilities and skills. Avoid giving toys that are too advanced, as they may pose safety hazards.
• Electric toys: To prevent burns and electrical shocks, avoid giving young children toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet.
• Small parts and choking hazards: Toys for children under age 3 must not have parts smaller than 1¼ inches in diameter and 2¼ inches long to avoid choking risks.
• Balloons: Keep uninflated or broken balloons away from children under age 8, as they pose choking or suffocation risks.
• Pull toys: Avoid pull toys with strings longer than 12 inches, as they can be a strangulation hazard.

Space heater safety

Space heaters can help keep your home warm during cold months, but they also pose a fire risk if not used properly. Follow these safety guidelines:

• Flat, stable surfaces: Always place space heaters on flat, steady surfaces.
• Safe distance: Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can catch fire, such as curtains or furniture.
• Direct plug-in: Plug space heaters directly into a wall socket and avoid using extension cords or power strips.
• Turn off when unattended: Always turn off space heaters when leaving the room or house.

Fireplace safety

A cozy fire can set the holiday mood, but it’s important to be cautious. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Clear the area: Before lighting any fires, remove all greens, boughs, papers and other decorations from the fireplace area.
• Flue check: Ensure the flue is open before starting a fire.
• Fire salts: If you use “fire salts” to create colored flames, be aware they contain heavy metals that can cause gastrointestinal irritation if ingested. Keep them away from children.
• Stockings and decor: Don’t hang Christmas stockings or decorations from the mantel while the fireplace is in use.
• Use a screen: Always use a screen in front of the fireplace to protect against flying sparks.
• Proper fuel: Only use seasoned and dried wood, and never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Never leave fires unattended: Always extinguish fires before leaving the room or going to bed.

Food safety

• Bacteria prevention: Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits to avoid bacteria.
• Hot liquids and foods: Keep hot items away from the edges of counters and tables where children can reach them.
• Hand washing: Wash your hands frequently and make sure your children do the same.
• Safe food preparation: Always keep raw and cooked foods separate and use separate utensils when preparing them. Thaw meat in the refrigerator, not on the countertop.

Visiting family

• Childproofing: Homes you visit may not be childproofed. Watch for danger spots like medications in purses or cleaning supplies within reach of children.
• Keep an emergency list: Keep a laminated list of important phone numbers, such as the police, fire department, pediatrician and national Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222).
• Manage stress: The holidays can be stressful for children. Try to stick to regular routines, including meal times and sleep schedules, to reduce stress.

If you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency this holiday season, it's essential to act quickly. Visit your nearest Banner Health emergency room for immediate care or contact us for guidance. Your health and safety are our top priorities, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.