Christmas safety tips

This Christmas, make sure you’re doing all you can to keep your home and family safe.

Candles

  • Keep candles away from curtains, cards, furniture, your Christmas tree, decorations and wrapping.
  • Never leave them unattended.
  • Keep candles out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Christmas decorations

  • Use a stepladder when decorating the tree and putting up your decorations – inside and out.
  • Babies and toddlers are fascinated by Christmas trees. Make sure your tree is securely fastened so they can’t pull it down.
  • Electricals should have the British or European safety mark on them. If yours don’t, make it a priority to buy some that do and recycle your old ones.
  • Replace Christmas lights if they show signs of being faulty.
  • Remember to switch off both indoor and outdoor lights at bedtime or when leaving the house.

Toys

  • Make sure you look for the CE or CE UKNI marking when choosing toys – visit RoSPA if you aren’t sure what these are.
  • Be vigilant and explain to older children the dangers of accidents that can happen when young toddlers and babies play with their older siblings’ toys. 
  • Batteries are extremely dangerous if swallowed. Make sure they are safely secured with a screw fitting.

We have great home safety tips to protect children and older or vulnerable adults. Why not contact our Home Safety Team on 028 9244 7397 to find out more.