Fingers crossed that we can still all have the celebrations we want this festive season but, with things changing daily, who knows whether we will once again be facing restrictions either before, or just after, the big event.
However we celebrate and spend this time of year, whether it is busy and full of family and friends, or whether it is once again quieter for all of us, there are still lots of good things to be enjoyed. Yet, as we all spend more time at home, it can also mean there are a few more things that we wouldn't enjoy. Here are a few tips to help you avoid them.
Reading our safety tips might just help to avoid some of the things that can go wrong.
Safety Tips for the Festive Season
- Buy children's gifts for the right age group and from reputable retailers, and to check they comply to safety standards. Don't forget to buy batteries for toys that need them – please don't ever remove them from your smoke alarms.
- Look out for small things that could choke someone - cracker novelties, those small button batteries, burst balloons etc. They can be lethal and all too tempting for little hands and mouths - and for your pets too!
- Don't ever drink and drive, and plan any long journeys with breaks so you don't drive tired.
- Keep decorations and cards away from fires and other heat sources like light fittings.
- Burning candles make a lovely atmosphere, but please don't leave them unattended. Always put them out before going to bed and never put candles on your Christmas tree.
- If you have old Christmas lights, think about buying new ones which meet much higher safety standards. The old glass bulb lights could get very hot and if they shattered, they could be very dangerous. If you still have some of these, it's probably time to get some new ones.
- Don't let children play with lights or decorations, bulbs have been swallowed.
- Christmas novelties are not toys, even if they look like them, so they don't have to comply with toy safety regulations. Keep them out of reach of young hands and mouths by displaying them at the very top of the Christmas tree.
- Give yourself enough time to make Christmas dinner to avoid rushing. Hot fat, boiling water and sharp knife accidents often come from panic or not getting dinner to the table on time.
- Keep anyone not helping with dinner out of the kitchen (too many cooks) and wipe up any spills quickly.
- Use scissors to open packaging, not a knife. Use proper screwdrivers to assemble toys and when the packages are all open, clear the clutter away. (Please dispose of it properly).
- Look out for trailing cables and wires in the rush to connect new gadgets and appliances, and always read the instructions.
- Falls are the most common accidents so try to keep clutter to a minimum. Make sure stairs are well-lit and free from anything anyone could trip over.
- Plan any New Year fireworks well in advance and always follow the Firework Code.
These things may all seem pretty much like common sense, and we certainly don't mean to suggest you don't use common sense, but we do want you and your family to enjoy the festive season as much as possible, and that means staying as safe as possible. Just following a few hints and tips can make sure you avoid any of those unexpected accidents.
However you are spending this festive season, enjoy it as much as you can, take care and stay safe.
We will see you in 2022.
