Tips to make your Christmas safe, merry and bright

Published: 21 December 2023

Christmas is the best time of the year for many. To help make sure everything goes smoothly and you have a memorable day, we’ve pulled together a few tips to keep the celebrations safe.

For most it goes by without a hitch, but with so much going on it can be easy to get distracted and not spot risks, all at one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS.

While you can keep track of where you’re buying gifts from, it’s not so easy when it comes to presents you receive. If your child does receive a gift that is inappropriate for their age, or even potentially dangerous, put it somewhere safe until you can dispose of it safely or until your child is old enough to play with it.

Check a toy is safe by looking for markings such as the CE or UKCA symbol, or the voluntary British Toy and Hobby Association's (BTHA) 'Lion Mark’. A condition of BTHA trade association membership is that members' toys will meet the statutory safety requirements. You can also check the manufacturer or importer details.

Batteries, particularly small button or coin batteries can cause serious problems, especially if swallowed. These should be kept away from children, but if they do swallow one, don’t let them eat or drink anything and take them straight to the hospital. The same goes for any other small toys or magnets. Anything with an easily accessible battery compartment should be kept out of reach of children, such as remote controls.

You should also make sure any toy your child receives is for the appropriate age group. Remember some need adult supervision, such as baking kits and chemistry sets for older children so make sure you’re nearby when they’ please complete this bit!

When you’re little, anything can look like a toy particularly at Christmas. Things like dancing Santa decorations will be classed as festive novelties or decorations, not toys, so won’t follow the same safety standards. You should make sure to place them high up and away from children.

Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regulatory Services, said:

“We’ve all heard stories about trips to A&E over Christmas, but many of these can be avoided with a little planning and care.

I hope you have a happy Christmas, and while there’s a lot going on, taking these extra steps could make a huge difference.”

Community, Public safety