It’s that time of year again. You’ve put up your holiday decorations, you’re making fun crafts with your daycare kids, and you may even be hosting a holiday party with children and parents. Remember though, that with all of the festivities, accidents are more likely to happen. We’ve put together a list of hazards to avoid to make sure your holiday season is as safe as possible.
- Holly and Mistletoe – These Christmas classics look festive, but be sure any holly or mistletoe decorations you put up are fake. The real plants are toxic if ingested!
- Fake Christmas Trees – Many fake trees contain lead and can actually cause lead poisoning. If you opt for a fake tree, be sure to do your research to make sure it is non-toxic.
- Choking Hazards – This is always a concern, but particularly during the holidays. Small ornaments, craft pieces, and gift wrapping materials are all potential choking hazards. Any decorations within reach of children should be large and non breakable. Keep all small items in areas that children don’t have access to.
- Parties – If you’re hosting a holiday party with parents or unenrolled children in attendance, be sure to have all parents sign a waiver of liability, and call your insurance companies to make sure you will have coverage in the event of an accident. It’s also a good idea to call licensing to make sure you’re fully in compliance.
- Cords and Strings – Strands of tinsel, string lights, and extension cords are common items around the holidays but can all easily get wrapped around a child’s neck. Keep these items safely out of reach of children, especially toddlers and infants.
- Falling Items – Large decorations, such as Christmas trees, can pose a threat to small children. If you have a tree, use ties to secure it to the wall, or place a small tree on a table top. Other large decorations should either be secured to the wall or in a room that is inaccessible to your daycare children.
The holidays can be a fun time, especially when you know you have all of the proper safety measures in place. We hope these tips help you have a fun, safe season. Happy Holidays, from DC Insurance Services.
