Part of the magic of the holiday season is that it brings together family and friends from all over the world. People gather to eat delicious meals, exchange gifts and share memories. The holidays can also be quite chaotic between gift wrapping, decorating and cooking, that child safety hazards can be overlooked with the many distractions of preparations. As you ready your home for weeks of holiday celebrations and visitors, be sure to follow these childproofing tips provided by the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC), to help keep your loved ones safe.
- Use only cordless window products in the homes with young children. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies with products that are cordless or have inaccessible cords, such as those marked with the Best for Kids™ label certification.
- If you have any corded window products in your home: Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.
- Make sure young children stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Turn handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.
- Avoid decorations that are sharp and easily breakable that can be at child’s reach.
- Be sure electric cords from any appliance are not hanging off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window covering cords, preferably to another wall.
- Make sure that your home has working smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on each level.