Hello again! As Christmas and New Years are approaching, I thought I would chat with y’all about some common scenarios you may come across that require precautions you normally don’t have to consider.
First, let’s talk about Christmas decor– there’s lots of decorating going on during the holidays! I personally love lighting candles around the house during Christmas time so I’m sure there are some of you that enjoy that too. However, it’s important to make sure all candles are out of reach for any child in your house. Keep candles away from flammable items as well, such as your Christmas tree. If you have small children in the home, try to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Lastly, keep potentially poisonous plants, such as mistletoe berries and holly berries, out of reach.
Secondly, remember that not all homes you visit will be childproofed. Make sure to keep an eye on any potential hazards, such as stairways, open purses, fireplaces, and unlocked cabinets. Kids are great at getting into the exact things you don’t want them to get into so make sure to have the poison control number on hand just in case!
Lastly, I know we all want our kiddos to be warm and snuggly when in their car seats. I am all for your child being warm! However, in the event of a car accident, puffy and bulky coats can make the car seat’s safety harness ineffective and unsafe.
Big coats cause too much separation between the belt and the child, which in the event of a crash can allow too much movement, increasing the risk for head and chest injuries as well as the child coming out of the straps.
Once you strap your kiddo in, remove the coat and cover them with a blanket. That way they can stay both warm AND safe!
