HSE Shares Seven Festive Health Tips to Keep Cork Families Safe This Christmas

The HSE's mychild.ie has released its 2025 "Nice list" of essential health and safety tips to help families navigate the festive season, with advice ranging from managing children's expectations to avoiding dangerous button batteries in Christmas decorations.

The guidance comes as flu and RSV continue to circulate, with particular emphasis on protecting newborn babies and pregnant women during family gatherings.

Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead for the HSE's Child Health Public Health Programme and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said:

"This time of the year can be magical, but it can also be overwhelming for children and parents alike. Our 2025 'Nice list' is all about helping families by taking the pressure off this Christmas because a few small steps can make a big difference. Taking some things off your 'to do' list, anticipating times your child might be overwhelmed and being aware of child safety when visiting family and friends can help make the season a little easier and more enjoyable. Illnesses can spread quickly at this time of year, so it's also important to protect more vulnerable family members, including pregnant women and newborns."

Dr Katharine Harkin, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at HSE Child Health Public Health, said:

"Santa is busy getting all the toys ready and it's important for anyone giving presents to make sure they are safe and age suitable. Check that toys are not a choking risk for children aged under 3, these include small and often round-shaped objects such as marbles and beads."

The HSE's seven-point festive safety guide addresses common challenges families face during the Christmas period, from disrupted routines to toy safety concerns.

Expect the Unexpected

The HSE acknowledges that unrealistic expectations can add pressure to the season. Children may become overwhelmed when routines are disrupted and visiting increases. Difficulties often arise when children are hungry, tired, or bored, so planning for long journeys, shopping trips, or large gatherings and building in daily downtime can make the festive season much easier for everyone.

Home Safety Checks

Families visiting relatives should supervise children closely and watch for hazards in homes that are not child-proofed. These include sharp objects, matches, medicines, cleaning products, alcohol left in glasses, essential oils and reed diffusers.

Seasonal plants including poinsettia, holly, ivy, and mistletoe are all potentially poisonous.

Button batteries pose a particular risk this Christmas. They are harmful if swallowed and are a choking risk. They can be found in musical cards, books, novelty decorations like singing Santas or light-up ornaments, flameless candles, and other small electronic devices. The HSE advises keeping them out of reach of children.

The Poisons Information Line is available on 01-809 2166 from 8am to 10pm every day, including Christmas Day, if anyone thinks their child has been exposed to poison.

Protecting Newborns

Newborn and premature babies are at particular risk from viruses circulating at this time of year because their body hasn't had much time to build up immunity to common bugs. The HSE advises it's a good idea to ask ahead if anyone is unwell with cold or flu symptoms and reschedule if they are.

Newborns are adorable and everyone wants Christmas cuddles, but it's okay to not want too many people kissing or holding your baby, or to ask people to wash their hands before coming in to contact with the baby. The HSE states that 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 someone develops a cold sore or thinks they have a herpes infection, they should not kiss a baby, wash their hands before contact with a baby, and cover up any cold sores before breastfeeding to avoid touching their mouth and then their breast.

Toy Safety Guidelines

Parents, loved ones, Santa and his elves can help keep children safe by making sure toys are right for the child's age and developmental stage. Parents should be aware that older children may share unsuitable toys with a younger child.

Toys should be in good condition as broken toys can be dangerous, and should have the CE quality mark, which shows they have met the required safety standard.

Toys should not be a choking risk for children aged under three, including small and often round-shaped objects such as marbles, beads, coins, marker caps, and bottle tops. Water beads should be avoided if children are under five years of age.

Toys should not have parts that are sharp or detach and break easily. Any part that comes loose should be too large for a child to swallow. They should not have magnets, as swallowing magnets can cause serious injury, and should not have strings as they are a strangulation risk.

Toys should be stored out of the way when not being used so they don't cause trips or falls, and stored somewhere a child doesn't need to climb to reach.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commissioner (CCPC) provides additional advice on toy safety.

Manual scooters are on many wish lists this Christmas. The HSE advises asking Santa for one suitable for your child's age, weight, and height, plus a helmet and protective gear. Injuries linked to e-scooters are on the rise, and the HSE advises to keep younger children off them. It is strongly advised not to give e-scooters to children under 16 years of age.

Infection Prevention

The HSE reminds children to wash their hands and cover coughs and sneezes. These simple but important practices make a huge difference in helping to stop the spread of infection.

Flu and RSV are circulating at the moment, and children are much more likely to get these infections than adults.

Parents should bring their children for all their recommended vaccines.

Dental Care

It's a time of year when dental accidents can happen, especially as children enjoy new bikes and scooters. If this happens, families should seek dental advice as soon as possible.

The HSE reminds families not to forget to take care of teeth, keep up brushing routines, and avoid an unnecessary visit from the tooth fairy.

Parental Wellbeing

Christmas isn't just for kids, and the HSE encourages parents to take some time for themselves too. A relaxing bath, favourite music, a grown-up festive movie, or even 10 minutes of fresh air can make a big difference. Parents shouldn't be afraid to rein in their 'to do' list.

There's often pressure to create a perfect Christmas, but the HSE notes you don't need to spend lots of time or money to make it meaningful. Families can consider swapping unnecessary tasks or purchases for enjoyable activities like simple play at home, winter walks, easy recipes, drawing, Christmas crafts, board games, or free community events.

Dr Collins concluded:

"Our final festive tip comes straight from the North Pole: an early bedtime for all on Christmas Eve! From all of us at mychild.ie, we wish every family a safe, healthy, and very happy Christmas."

The HSE's mychild.ie is a resource for parents and parents-to-be with advice on pregnancy, babies and toddlers, including common conditions, parenting and child safety. For urgent and emergency care options, visit the HSE website.