Don’t let accidents put a damper on the holidays.

“It’s a time when people are busy and supervision of children is more difficult,” says Paula Yuma, injury prevention program manager at Children’s Medical Center.

• If you prefer a live Christmas tree, buy a fresh one. It should have sticky resin at the bottom and needles that bend instead of breaking. Keep trees away from fireplaces. Keep stands filled with water so needles don’t become brittle and fire-prone. When buying an artificial tree, look for the label “fire resistant.”
• Decorate with care. “Take time to reassess the ornaments that are on your tree or that are put throughout the home,” Yuma says. If you have small children, avoid glass ornaments, decorations with small removable parts that kids could choke on or ornaments that look like candy.
• Use caution with candles. With young children it may be better not to use candles at all,” Yuma suggests. If you do, put them where they can’t be knocked over or ignite trees, decorations, wrapping paper, clothing and curtains. “And never, ever leave a child alone with a lit candle or go to bed with candles still lit.”
• Inspect holiday lights. “Check to make sure the wires are not frayed or broken, and make sure not to overload the cords by plugging too many into one outlet, which can cause an electrical fire,” Yuma cautions. If the cord is hot when in use, it isn’t safe.
• If you have a fireplace, add a sturdy screen. A screen helps prevent sparks from igniting newspapers, carpeting, curtains or upholstery. The screen also acts as a barrier between the fire and small children.
• Keep fresh batteries in smoke detectors. You should have one on every level of the home, especially near bedrooms. Develop an evacuation plan and make sure everyone knows it, including guests.
• Ensure kitchen safety. As they cook big holiday meals, adults can lose track of children. Yuma suggests assigning an adult to supervise children. Move knives, other utensils and hot drinks away from counter edges, turn pot handles toward the back of the stove and keep children away from hot ovens.
• Watch kids open their gifts. Even if you buy age-appropriate toys, small children can get into things meant for older siblings. “When there are lots of children frantically opening gifts at one time, it creates excitement, and smaller children can be enticed by toys that are not appropriate for them,” Yuma says.