Children's Holiday Safety

For many families, festive gatherings of relatives, friends, and neighbors are an important part of the holiday season. According to a recent ESFI consumer survey, more than sixty percent of holiday guests are accompanied by children under the age of eighteen. It is up to adults to make sure that childhood curiosity does not result in disastrous consequences. Every day, 7 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for electrical shock and burn injuries caused by tampering with a wall outlet, according to statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Seventy percent of child-related electrical accidents occur at home, when adult supervision is present. Keep child safety in mind as you prepare your home for the holidays. Look for and eliminate potential danger spots near candles, fireplaces, trees, and electrical outlets. Additional planning may be necessary if you plan to host young guests and do not currently have childproofing measures in place. Make child safety a priority for all of your holiday preparations and activities with these easy holiday safety tips: Kids and Cooking Safety - Cooking is an important part of holiday celebrations for many families, and children love to be a part of it. Take steps to keep them safe in the kitchen this holiday season. Childproof Decorating Tips - The safety of children must be a primary concern during the holiday season. ESFI recommends taking the following safety precautions to ensure that this special time of year does not result in a decoration-related tragedy. Decorating Safely with Kids- Children are extremely curious, and their curiosity only intensifies during the holidays when homes sparkle with beautiful decorations. Make their safety a priority when decorating your home this holiday season. Preparing for Young Holiday Visitors - Keep young holiday visitors safe by taking steps to prepare your home before they arrive. Gifts for Children - Keep these simple safety tips in mind when selecting holiday gifts for children of all ages. Selecting Electrical Gifts for Children - One common holiday tradition is the giving of gifts to family and friends. When selecting electrical gifts for children, it is important to keep a few safety-focused tips in mind. Check out ESFI's Top 10 Holiday Safety Tips for illustrated holiday safety reminders! Additional information about Decorating Safety, Fire Safety, Entertaining Safety and safety-related Holiday Gifts can be found in the 2012 Holiday Survival Guide and throughout the Holiday Safety section of the website.