With Christmas on the way, the HSE’s mychild.ie is sharing advice for parents, caregivers, and other family members to make the most of the festive break with children.
These ‘elf and safety’ tips include being aware of seasonal hazards like button batteries and how to reduce the risk of infections getting in the way of the festivities.
Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead for the HSE’s Child Health Public Health Programme and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, says: “Try to minimise pressure on yourself to make Christmas perfect and focus instead on enjoying the simple things with your child like playing games and going for walks together.
“Being aware of toy safety and taking extra care when visiting other people’s homes can help prevent serious injuries and stress at this special time.
“Covering coughs and sneezes and keeping hands clean can help to reduce the risk of infections such as RSV, flu and tummy bugs over Christmas. It’s not too late to get the free nasal spray flu vaccine for children from a participating pharmacy or GP to protect your child and older family members.”
1. Try to minimise pressure and expectations on yourself
We all want to make this time of year magical and memorable for children. But you can feel under pressure to spend a lot of money and time trying to create a ‘picture perfect’ Christmas. These efforts can cause stress and may go unnoticed in the end. Try to think back to last Christmas and ask yourself if there were things that in hindsight weren’t necessary.
It can be helpful to take some things off the ‘to do’ or ‘to buy’ list and think about the more simple things instead. For example, quiet times at home playing with your child, winter walks, easy recipes, drawing pictures, board games or attending free community events.
We can also have high expectations that children will enjoy every moment – remember that this time of year can be overwhelming for them too. They are out of routine being off school and childcare, and perhaps spending time away from their home visiting relatives. Try to think ahead to situations that might be difficult such as long journeys or large gatherings and how you can prepare for them, and always factor in some ‘down time’ for them to relax and do something familiar each day.
2. Know which toys are safe for your child’s age and developmental stage
Parents, caregivers, relatives and Santa himself can all help keep children safe by making sure their toys:
- are right for the child’s age and developmental stage – be aware that older children may share unsuitable toys with a younger child
- are in good condition – broken toys can be dangerous
- have the CE quality mark – this shows they have met the required safety standard
- are not a choking risk for children aged under 3 – watch out for small objects, particularly round-shaped, that could block your child’s airway. For example, marbles, beads, coins, marker caps and bottle tops
- don’t have parts that are sharp or detach and break easily – any part that comes loose should be too large for a child to swallow
- don’t have magnets – swallowing magnets can cause serious injury
- don’t have strings as they are a strangulation risk
- are stored out of the way when not being used so they don't cause trips or falls
- are stored somewhere a child doesn’t need to climb to reach
3. Make sure little hands can’t access batteries, including button batteries
There are numerous types of batteries in homes at this time of year and they can result in serious harm if children chew on them or swallow them.
Button batteries are small batteries that look a bit like coins. They can be found in musical cards and books, novelty decorations like singing Santa’s or Christmas ornaments that light up, flameless candles and other small electronic devices. Children can choke on them and, if swallowed, can seriously burn their insides.
Make sure all battery compartments on toys and other items are secure and cannot be opened by your child. Be extra careful with things that do not have locked battery compartments.
If you think your child may have swallowed a button battery, take them immediately to your nearest hospital emergency department.
You can give a child over 1 year of age 2 teaspoons of honey if they have swallowed a button battery. This can protect the oesophagus from injury before the battery is removed in the hospital. Only do this if they can swallow. Do not delay bringing them to hospital.
4. Stay safe in busy places and during visits
In busy places like shops and family get-togethers, it can be easy to lose sight of your children and assume the other parent or family member is with them or looking after them. Agree in advance who will actively supervise the children and for how long. Then do a verbal ‘hand over’ to each other when it’s time to change.
You might be spending time in the homes of friends and relatives which are not child-proofed. Supervise your child at all times. Children may be able to access dangerous items in handbags, kitchen cupboards, bathroom cabinets and sheds. For example, sharp objects like scissors, or toys for older children.
Poison risks can include medicines, household cleaning products, and alcohol left over in glasses and cans.
Products such as essential oils and reed diffusers can be highly toxic if ingested, even in small amounts. They can cause also harm to the skin and eyes if exposure occurs. Seasonal plants including poinsettia, holly, ivy and mistletoe are potentially poisonous.
When vehicles are coming into or leaving driveways, make sure your children are safe. Keep them inside the home or hold on to them securely. Always check around your car before reversing.
5. Protect newborn babies with clean hands and no kisses if you have a cold, cough or cold sore
Newborns and younger babies are at particular risk from RSV. You need to be extra careful to wash your hands before holding them. Don’t kiss and cuddle babies if you have a cold or a cough.
If you are visiting someone or expecting a short visit, don’t feel bad about asking ahead if anyone is unwell with cold/flu symptoms and reschedule if they are. Family and friends will understand that protecting young babies who might get significantly unwell is the priority.
Coming into contact with the cold sore virus (herpes simplex) can be very serious and even fatal for newborn babies.
If you develop a cold sore or think you have a herpes infection:
- do not kiss a baby
- wash your hands before contact with a baby
- cover up any cold sores before breastfeeding to avoid touching your mouth and then your breast
Make sure visitors take the same precautions.
6. Reduce infection risk by cleaning hands and covering coughs and sneezes
No one wants to miss out on the fun of Christmas because they picked up a virus.
To reduce the risk, encourage children to cough and sneeze into the elbow or a tissue and to keep their hands clean.
If you are sick with an infection such as RSV, flu-like illness, COVID-19 or diarrhoea it is important to stay home.
If giving your child an over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol, follow the instructions that come with it. Avoid inadvertent overdosing by keeping a note of how much your child had and when.
You’ll find advice on mychild.ie about coughs, colds and viral infections in children.
7. Get vaccines as soon as recommended
Make sure your child has all their recommended childhood vaccinations as soon as possible as they are timed specifically to protect children. They will help:
- stop your child getting an infection and
- make them less likely to be unwell if they do get an infection
The free nasal spray flu vaccine is available for children aged 2 to 17 years from GPs and pharmacies. It helps protect your children from getting seriously ill with the flu, as well as helping to protect babies and grandparents in the family.
COVID-19 vaccines are recommended particularly for children with weak immune systems.
8. Set an early bedtime on Christmas Eve
Finally, Santa has asked children to make sure they go to bed early on Christmas Eve as he’s looking forward to making his annual trip around the world delivering presents.
More information
The HSE’s mychild.ie is a resource for parents and parents-to-be with advice on pregnancy, babies and toddlers. This includes common conditions, parenting and child safety.
Call the Poisons Information Line on 01 809 2166 if you think your child has been exposed to poison. The service is available from 8am to 10pm every day, including Christmas Day. It gives urgent tailored advice to members of the public on whether medical treatment is needed following accidental poisoning. Outside of these hours, contact your GP or hospital. In an emergency, call 999 or 112.
Last updated on: 11 / 12 / 2023
