How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

Last year we moved in Jan so we never put up a tree. The year before that I was pregnant with no kids.

What do u guys do to keep crazy toddlers off of the tree? A gate? Smaller tree? Only certain ornaments? DH says he can "tie the tree to the wall" whatever that means... I can't really picture it.

Ant tips appreciated!

Eta what about lights?

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

not sure what were going to do this year but last year ds didn't even bother with it at all. he was 15 months. dh and i put it up when he was sleeping when he woke up he didn't even give it a second look. i think putting it up when he was sleeping was the trick

were going to try to do that again this year

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

My dd is going to be 2 . We just put up our tree this weekend I know I know were nuts but besides that ..She has been really good she will occasionally go over to the tree and reach for an ornament but we purposely put our little rinky dink ornaments on the bottom of the tree. She cant grab any glass or breakable ones those are way up top.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

DS was 18 months and walking last year. I did our almost normal tree and taught him not to touch as best I could. There were lights with No problem. I put all non breakable, fabric, plastic ornaments on the bottom. No tinsel. I do have some of the motorized ornaments that played music so those he could touch. And some dancing stuffed animal toys under the tree.

I'll do the same this year, he'll be 2 1/2. I think if you tell them do not touch at all, that's really a big request for a kid. If you give them some things that they can touch, it may make your life easier.

What your DH may be thinking of, may do is screw an eye screw into a stud or solid wood molding in the wall behind the tree then tie a strong thin wire around the trunk to the eye. Just a small hole to patch after the holidays but worth it for safety. My dad did it because we'd have a 14 foot real tree in cathedral ceiling.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

Besides the fabric ornaments - what about pulling the tree down altogether?!

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

When DD was younger (1 and 2) we put our playard around the tree. By the time she was 3 she knew not to mess with the tree too much. We put her kid-friendly ornaments such as her Sesame Street ornaments on the bottom, in case she wanted to touch them. Anything breakable went at the very top!

This also seemed pretty ghetto to me at first, but I'm glad now that we do it. Every year DH takes a piece of yarn and ties it to the tree and ties the tree off onto something, nearby, like a hook that he screws into the wall. So the tree really couldn't fall on top of a tree. While we've never had it tested, last year my sister's dog got excited and it's tail knocked down her entire tree, and so many of her personalized ornaments that she's collected over the years got shattered, so I'm glad we do it!

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

We put the play yard around it. We no longer use it for DD. It keeps DD and the dog away from the tree.
We just put lights and a few special ornaments.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

My dd who is 15 months will most certainly try to climb the tree. We get a real tress so they are very heavy. We will be tying it and anchoring it to our wall. If she is very bad with ornaments I can put a gate around it.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

all i have to say is this year should be VERY interesting

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

Posted by Domino

all i have to say is this year should be VERY interesting

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

Oh I think the idea of anchoring it with a wire to the wall or to something else is a great idea! I actually didn't think of DS toppling the entire tree over, but the way he's climbing and grabbing at everything, that is a real possibility!

We have shatterproof ornaments. The ceramic type ones I'll put only towards the top where he can't reach.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

Superyard XT. I have twins as well and that thing is a lifesaver. I just sold it

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

We used the SuperYard as well & it was great.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

Does the superyard actaully work though? My kids are strong little climbers. Won't they just knock it over?

ETA: The words NO/ DANGER/ etc mean nothing to them.

Message edited 11/16/2011 10:07:43 AM.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

Nothing changed because we have a kid. No gates, not trees tied to walls, no lack of ornaments. We tell him NO, and NO TOUCHING. I never babyproofed my house. We were here first. He came into our world, and needed to adjust to it. I still have breakables out, still have candles out. I refuse to alter anything because if a child. Not everywhere you go or visit will have things child proofed. Kids NEED to learn boundries, its a lot easier if that starts at YOUR home.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?

Posted by skinny

Does the superyard actaully work though? My kids are strong little climbers. Won't they just knock it over?

ETA: The words NO/ DANGER/ etc mean nothing to them.

Re: How do u keep toddlers safe around the xmas tree?