Whether you choose a fresh Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree, there are safety concerns whenever you have a baby, toddler, or young child in your home.
Of course you must watch your child around your Christmas tree, but kids are quick and can get into trouble the instant that you take your eyes off of them.
You need to not only protect your children, but also protect your Christmas tree and your Christmas decorations from getting damaged.
In order to make your Christmas holidays beautiful and safe for everyone, see the ideas and tips below for how to baby proof a Christmas tree.
photo courtesy of fiat.luxury flickr.com/photos/islandspice/2144631357/Baby Gate or Play Yard
Use a baby gate or play yard to shield your baby from your Christmas tree.
You can use a baby gate around your Christmas tree or at the doorway of a room to keep the kids out of that room entirely.
You can also do the opposite and keep the baby in the play yard to baby proof your Christmas tree.
Blocked
You can create a barrier between your baby and the Christmas tree as another way of baby proofing.
Instead of sticking something big in the way that will block the view of the Christmas tree from adults, get creative and use various items to create a blockade, such as a low bench, an ottoman, or perhaps something you build that looks like large Christmas presents.
On a Table
If you have a shorter Christmas tree, consider putting in on a table out of reach to be more baby proof because it is out of reach.
If you are concerned that the table might get bumped and the tree fall over, consider screwing the Christmas tree base to the table.
Strapped to Wall or Ceiling
If you are afraid of the Christmas tree falling over, consider strapping it to the wall and/or ceiling (that's what they do at the White House).
Closed Off Room
To be very safe when baby proofing, put your Christmas tree in a closed off room so baby can't reach it.
The best room might be one that faces the street in front of your home so visitors can enjoy your Christmas tree lights while driving by.
Dutch Door
A dutch door is a door that is cut in half horizontally so that you can leave the top half open but the bottom half closed.
Dutch doors are a great option for adults being able to see between rooms but keeping the kids out.
Baby Safe Ornaments
Consider using baby safe ornaments on the bottom portion of your Christmas tree.
Instead of glass or sentimental ornaments, select ornaments made of plastic, feathers, paper, or fabric (or no ornaments on the bottom part of your Christmas tree at all).
You can even wire the ornaments to the tree so they don't come off easily, which is especially important if your Christmas tree might get bumped.
Depending on the height of your child, you can still put the breakable and sentimental ornaments on the upper part of your Christmas tree.
Christmas Lights Toward Trunk
When putting the Christmas lights on your tree, position them towards the trunk of your tree instead of the outer limbs to lessen the chance of baby getting a hold of them.
