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Keeping safe with presents

For obvious reasons, young children are attracted to presents, regardless of who they are for. So remember to:

• keep toys, games and decorations with small parts out of reach of young children – babies and toddlers can choke on small things
• make sure presents are suitable for your child’s age, and only buy toys from trusted shops
• keep button batteries (the small circular silver batteries) out of reach of young children – many of these are swallowed every Christmas
• put gifts of perfume and aftershave where toddlers can’t reach them – they contain alcohol that’s harmful if swallowed

Lights and decorations

Follow these basic rules to avoid accidents with lights and decorations:

• always check Christmas lights for frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections
• turn all lights off when you go to bed or go out, as they could cause a fire
• avoid decorations like baubles that break easily, as the pieces can be very sharp
• put candles out of children’s reach, in containers that won’t tip over and aren’t made of plastic
• remember to blow out all candles before going out or going to bed
• keep candles away from Christmas trees and decorations
• don’t hang decorations from lights or heaters as they can burn easily

Food and drink

Keep young children out of the kitchen while you are cooking, to avoid burns and scalds. Also remember to clear away the last dregs of drinks left in glasses before you go to bed, as even very small amounts of alcohol can poison young children.

Fire safety

There is an increased risk of fire in the home at Christmas time, so it’s a good idea to check your smoke alarms are still working. For further advice on fire safety in the home, follow the link below.

• Fire safety advice for parents and child carers