With the holidays approaching, here are some safety tips to help keep this time of year fun and safe for all members of the family and especially those little elves waiting for Santa to visit on Christmas Eve.

Also see the following pages for additional tips:

Winter Safety Tips 

Winter Holidays - Ski Vacations 

Holiday Safety Alert - CPSC Announces Recall Round-up of Toys and Children's Products

Safety tips for Buying Safe Toys and Using Toys Safely

Many families do a lot of driving during the holiday season to visit family and friends.  See Car Safety Tips, First Aid Safety Tips for Managing an Emergency from St. John's Ambulance and Winter Driving Tips.

Keep wrapping paper and small toys away from children under 3 and pets.  See Safety tips for Buying Safe Toys and Using Toys Safely.

‘Tis the Season to attend and host parties – consider hiring a babysitter when going to or hosting a party. A babysitter will allow you to focus on your guests while someone is concentrating on keeping an eye on the little ones (not to mention that the sitter could use the income to help with gift buying). 

Keep small candies and nuts out of reach of young children as small items can pose a choking hazard.

Alcohol can be poisonous for little ones and a babysitter can ensure that your children don’t sample drinks not meant for them or left around by the party goers and help entertain them as well. After the party, make sure all glasses are cleaned up so that in the morning there is no worries for unintentional consumption of any left over drinks.

Ensure your house has approved, working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.  Plan escape routes in case of fire.

Make sure candles are not near any flammable items, including curtains, Christmas trees, decorations or furniture and don’t forget to put them out of reach of children.  Never leave candles unattended.  Ensure all matches and lighters are out of reach of children.   Extinguish all candles and put them in the sink at bedtime or when you leave the house.  See Fire Safety Tips, Hotel and Hotel Room Fire Safety, Candles, Safe Pajamas and the Dangers of Matches and Lighters.

Have your chimney cleaned and inspected each year.  Ensure flue is open when fireplace or woodstove is in use.  Don’t burn wrapping or christmas tree branches in the fireplace, sparks and flakes can fly out the chimney or fall out of the fireplace/woodstove when the screen or door is opened.  Avoid "Fire Salts" and keep them away from children.  They can contain heavy metal and cause severe stomach irritation and vomitting.

All matches used to light candles or the fireplace should immediately be put out of reach after use. Teach your children never to play with matches, candles and fireplaces/woodstoves.

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips:

• When purchasing a live tree make sure the tree is fresh, with green needles that are hard to pull off the tree and bend but don't break.  Tap the tree on the ground and if the tree loses a lot of needles, it is not fresh. 
• Keep your tree well watered to avoid drying out the tree. Turn of lights at bedtime or when leaving the house. Never put candles on or near the tree. Place tree away from any heat sources such as fireplaces.
• Place your tree in a well designed, sturdy tree stand and if possible, tie it up to something secure, perhaps a nail or two in the baseboard.
• Dispose of tree promptly after the holidays.
• Put breakable or tiny ornaments and tinsel higher on the tree or out of reach so little fingers can’t knock them off and get cut on broken ornaments or put them in their mouths.  Avoid leaded decorations.
• Cut back lower branches to avoid eye injuries to young children and pets.
• Use non-combustible or flame-resistant decorations for the tree.
• Check that all tree lights are tested for safety by an approved laboratory with seal (example, UL or CSA approved).  Cords should be fused and in good condition (no fraying).   Throw out lights that have broken or cracked sockets or bare wires.  Don't overload outlets or cords.
• Ensure lights used outdoors are certified for outdoor use.  If possible, use a ground fault circuit interrupter circuits for outside lights.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Many holiday plants are poisonous, including Holly, Poinsettias, Mistletoe and holiday greenery like Balsam, Juniper, Cedar, Pine and Fir. Have the number of the poison control centre handy.  Keep a watchful eye on young children around these plants and teach them not to touch.  See First Aid Tips.
• Look for the "Fire Resistant" label when purchasing artificial trees.
• Avoid using artificial snow as it can cause lung irritation.

Enjoy the season and all the happiness it can bring.  Best Wishes. 

For Tips on Buying Safe Toys Click Below: