The Christmas holiday is all about having a merry good time with all your loved ones. It’s a time for adults to let loose and for kids to have fun and spend time being their silly and rambunctious selves with their family. But, where there’s fun, there’s bound to be some accidents.
A little bump or bruise is nothing to be afraid of. As parents, we of course want to make sure that our kids are safe and ouch-free regardless. Now, it can be quite difficult to keep your kids from getting any type of wound, especially since they can sense your excitement as you decorate your home, bake treats, and conjure up magical moments as the Christmas season approaches.
But, even with little ones being difficult and hyper, you still have to try babyproofing your homes so that you at least lower the risk of them getting injured or getting into an accident. With everything you have to do, we understand how it can be overwhelming to even think about baby proofing. That’s why we came up with a list of our top 5 easy and simple ways of babyproofing your spaces this Christmas. Read on to find out more!
Use the Right Ornaments
When it comes to ornaments, bigger is better. In this case, you might want to opt for bigger decorations. Smaller Christmas balls tend to be a choking hazard, so the bigger the decors are, the better and safer it will be for your little ones. You might also want to choose ornaments that won't break if your child gets to them or tries to ingest them. So, go for other materials instead of glass or any other breakable ones.
Now, if you have extra rambunctious kids, you might want to opt for sturdier, unbreakable Christmas decorations, especially if you're concerned that your little child will climb up on your tree and or pull any ornaments. These decorations won't shatter easily and aren't choking hazards. Also, place glass ornaments and other priceless ornaments at the top of the tree and in spots that are far from the reach of children.
Ask Your Kids to Help
It could be time to enlist their assistance if you don't want your kids to destroy the Christmas decorations you've taken the time to put up. Whether it’s putting up a few soft decorations on the tree, arranging the belen, or putting up the rest of the decorations around the house, you can involve your little ones and simply tell them to be cautious while they put up the decorations.
By enlisting their help, they’re less likely to mess things up, get into accidents, or break anything because they become invested in the process and strive hard to make it attractive or orderly. They are also sure to have some fun while they go about putting decorations all over your house!
Use Ribbons Instead!
When it comes to hanging ornaments, it’s quite normal to use wire hangers and other easily twisted metal wires. After all, they’re readily available, they’re affordable, and they’re easy to use. However, these are choking hazards and ones you should avoid especially if your little ones tend to grab or reach for things.
A safer option is to use soft ribbon threads or anything soft. So, even if the kids touch the threads, you can be sure they won't get cut, bleed, or injured. Try not to make these too short either so even if your kids do get their hands on the ribbons, they won’t immediately choke on it.
Proper Placement is Key
The secret to making your houses and living areas toddler-proof is knowing where to put your decorations and knowing which spots your children are likely to bump. They won't be able to crawl to the Christmas ornaments if you place it in a difficult-to-reach place. They’ll also be less likely to get hurt if you block off any sharp edges such as door corners and such with big decorations like Christmas trees.
As long as your kids can’t access the items or areas that could prove dangerous, they should be alright. You can’t always keep an eye on them, so it’s better to make sure that your homes are ready for your children to run through them safely even when you’re not around.
So, you might want to make sure that any tables or cabinets near major decorations cannot be tipped over or that you have sturdy and heavy duty items like the Christmas tree. Think about the weight - if it’s too heavy, your children won’t be able to knock it off. You can also use these items to block off corners and any walls with sockets.
Install Baby Gates
One of the easiest ways to babyproof your house for the holidays is by installing a baby gate. By using a baby gate, you can ensure that your children are separated from the Christmas tree, any other breakable decor, or any little baubles that can possibly be choking hazards. These gates are excellent for keeping them away and preventing them from getting too close and hurting themselves or breaking anything in the process of them exploring and being curious.
Having a child running around the house during the holidays may be a little difficult at times, but it doesn’t mean your world or your Christmas has to stop or be boring. You simply have to be prepared, mamas! It’s a little extra work, but nothing is too much when it comes to keeping the little ones safe. We hope you found this helpful! If you have any other tips and tricks for baby proofing a home for the holidays, let us know!
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