Christmas is a fun and magical holiday for little ones. However, it is also a time of year with added dangers that require parents to use extra caution.
According to Beverly Anderson, Executive Director of Ebenezer Child Care Centers with locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and West Allis/Wauwatosa, “There are a number of things parents should be thinking about when planning their holiday activities to make sure they keep their families safe.”
Below are some tips.
Christmas Trees
Anderson says there are a number of things parents need to be cautious of when it comes to Christmas trees. First, if your family is purchasing a live tree, it will have to be watered daily. If a live tree goes dry, it will become a fire hazard.
“If your family travels frequently over the holidays, it is best to simply purchase an artificial tree, so you don’t have to worry about it drying out while you are away.”
Second, if your family has toddlers or new walkers, you will want to be sure they can’t pull the tree over on themselves. This may require some creativity to “fasten” the tree to a nearby wall or piece of furniture. Or, you might want to simply put up a baby gate around the tree, so the little ones can’t get too close. This is also a good idea if your tree has glass ornaments that could easily break.
Third, make sure the lights on your Christmas tree do not have any frayed wires and are all in working condition. Likewise, make sure they are all placed into a power strip that will automatically turn off it gets too hot.
Gifts
Anderson says parents should always look at the recommended age on toys, so they know whether or not the items are age-appropriate. For toddlers and younger children, parents should also be cautious of giving items that could become a choking hazard.
If purchasing gifts online, Anderson suggests that parents have them delivered to their office, so they are not sitting on your family’s doorstep when you aren’t home. She also suggests that gifts aren’t left out in the open by windows where thieves could possibly see them.
On Christmas, Anderson says that children should receive assistance with opening difficult boxes, and that they should not be allowed to use a scissors or knife by themselves.
Decorations
When decorating for the holidays, Anderson points out that ladders should never left unattended and to only place Christmas decorations out of reach of small hands. This is particularly important in the case of candles, decorations made of breakable materials, and those that could pose a choking hazard.
By taking these tips seriously, families will ensure their holidays will be free from injury and filled with enjoyable, happy memories.
Keeping Your Family Healthy
Finally, to help keep your children healthy, the CDC recommends getting a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 years and older. Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccinations and family members (like grandparents and people with compromised immune systems) who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected. Vaccinations can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19. Vaccinating children ages 5 years and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.
Every Ebenezer Child Care Center focuses on all aspects of a child’s development: cognitive, physical, emotional, and social. In addition to providing quality care, the agency also offers other educational programming all aimed at helping parents.
The agency has locations on Milwaukee’s southside and in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and West Allis/Wauwatosa. The agency’s main office is located at 1138 S. 108th St., West Allis, WI. For more information, please call 414-643-5070 or visit the agency’s website at www.ebenezerchildcare.com.
