We want you and your family to have a great Christmas this year. Above all, this means helping you keep your little ones safe. This week’s blog is from Selina Russell, who created the Fred Safety range, a host of innovative products aimed at making your home safer for children. Selina sits on the board of the Baby Products Association (the voice of the baby and nursery industry in the UK) and we asked for her top tips to help keep your home safe over Christmas: 

 

  • Christmas Tree
    • Keep your tree stable so it won’t fall on young children
    • Keep decorations & lights out of reach (sorry – I know this is a tough one!)

 

  • Presents
    • Make sure presents are age suitable and have a CE mark or that they comply with 2011 toy regulations
    • Let older children know which new toys need to be kept away from the baby
    • Have a choke tester tool ready to teach older children what is/isn’t safe for younger siblings. If something small can be fitted or squashed into the tester, it is a choke hazard for children under 2.
This choke tester tool from Fred Safety also comes with a handy finger trap-tester and safety stickers
  • Packaging
    • Keep your baby away from discarded packaging
    • Have scissors handy but out of reach to open boxes where needed
    • Have a proper tidy up before you let baby roam around again

 

  • Kitchen
    • Nominate someone to keep an eye on your baby/toddler if you are busy cooking
    • Keep pans at the back of the hob with handles turned away and use a stove guard to protect children from burns and scalds
    • Keep children away from the oven before taking out the turkey etc.
    • Avoid moving around the kitchen with knives or pans with hot liquids

 

  • Tell visitors the house rules
    • Keep the stairgate shut and don’t climb over
    • Glasses and hot drinks must be kept away from the edge of tables
    • Keep medicines out of reach of children
    • Re-lock cupboards after use

 

 

Finally, delight in some beautiful candles, but please don’t leave them unattended; and enjoy blowing them out at the end of the day to seal in those happy memories.