Deck the halls ... with care.

• Author: Delaware, Louie
• Position: The Holidays - Christmas decorations

FOR MANY FAMILIES, some of the most beloved holiday traditions involve decorations: trees festooned with garlands and ornaments, stockings hung by the fireplace, Hanukkah menorahs or Kwanzaa kinara candleholders placed on tables, lights hung inside and out, and much more. However, if you have young children, holiday decorations are not simply festive symbols of the season: they are potential safety concerns. From candles to power cords to small ornaments to wrapping paper, there are seemingly countless hazards that little eyes--and hands and mouths--will be drawn to.

Most concerning of all is the fact that in-home accidents often happen to the children of very responsible parents. In many cases, mom and dad have childproofed their home thoroughly--they just do not realize fully the dangers that extra seasonal decor can pose until after an accident has occurred. However, do not resign yourself to undecked halls just yet. You do not have to be a decor Scrooge to keep your kids safe--you simply should keep some commonsense guidelines in mind when readying your home for the holidays:

Give your Christmas tree roots. If you will be putting up a tree--real or artificial--make sure that it is stable. Kids have been known to push, pull, and even climb trees. Consider tethering yours to a wall or to the ceiling, or put it in an off-limits room, to help prevent it from falling over.

Trim the tree sensibly. The sparkling lights and shiny ornaments on trees are fascinating to us adults--so just imagine how tempting they will be to little hands, in which they can be choking hazards or in danger of breaking. Limit the number of light strands and ornaments that you use, and only put them on the upper branches. Especially if you have a toddler, decorate the tree a little higher than you think your child can reach. It also is a good idea to use only flame-resistant, non-breakable ornaments, just in case--and definitely avoid using real food, like popcorn or dried apples, in garlands, as your child may attempt to eat it.

Pay special attention to electrical cords. Many at-home holiday displays would not be possible without electricity but, if you have small children, easily accessible cords should be a thing of the past. Electrical cords present a risk of strangulation and also can be chewed through, so ensure that they are out of sight and out of reach. Do not forget about lights that allow another strand to be plugged into the first, or extension cords with...