Christmas trees are very alluring to tiny tots. Babies and toddlers love all the sparkle, shine, and candy colored ornaments. Keep your little one safe with these tips:
Place breakable ornaments up high and secure on your tree. Place unbreakable decor down low. Use string, not hooks to hang ornaments if you have a little one in the house. Hooks can be lodged in skin, and swallowing one is even worse. If an ornament can fit through a toilet paper tube, it's a choking hazard for a baby. Keep these ornaments packed up until your baby is older. Be wary of hanging ornaments that look like candy - for example, a peppermint ornament. These are WAY too tempting for babies. Don't use real food on your tree. Popcorn, cranberries, and other food items are choking hazards. Tinsel, while small, is a real choking hazard. Hang it high, or don't use it at all. Make sure your tree is secure. The last thing you need is a tree falling on your tot, and trust me, they will pull on it. Make sure Christmas tree lights are cool to the touch and be sure to hide the cord and outlet from your baby. Never use candles on your tree.
Safest tip: Simple, don't allow a little one to be around the tree unsupervised. If this is impossible, I suggest you put a baby gate around your tree.
