Doctor says common Xmas decoration should be 'outlawed'

“I’ve seen kids who need stitches from it."

By this time of year, many of us likely have Christmas decorations taking up space in our homes. 

But getting into the festive spirit might unintentionally introduce a hidden safety hazard. 

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"Creating a hazard"

Paediatrician Dr. Em (@dr.emzieees) has taken to TikTok to urge parents of young children to be extra cautious when decorating -particularly with how they display stockings.

“This is your sign to not use stocking holders this year,” she begins in recent clip. 

She is referring to those heavy stocking holder hooks that often sit on mantels, and the white adhesive hooks used to hang items on walls.

Using her own home as an example, she shares a photo of her son with their stockings hung in the background.

“I have seen now three children who have been injured,” she says. 

“The parents use those heavy holders for the stockings. And what do babies do when they see stockings?”

Hint: a lot of grabbing and climbing. 

“All you are doing is creating a hazard,” she continued.

“Children grab the stocking, and they try to pull the stocking down and what happens is that the stocking holder comes down almost always on their face.”

Image: TikTok

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"Wish they were outlawed"

Dr. Em has witnessed the painful consequences firsthand. 

“It leaves these really nasty marks. I’ve seen kids who need stitches from it,” she says. 

Viewers echoed her concerns, sharing their own stories.

“I have a family friend who has a glass eye because she pulled one down when she was a toddler,” one commenter revealed.

Another said: “100% the most important message.” 

Some admitted they’d never even considered the danger.

“I never would have thought of this! My one year old wasn’t walking last Christmas but my now 2 year old is now into everything,” one parent shared.

“Always learning something new,” another added.

Dr. Em believes more should be done to keep children safe.

“I wish they were outlawed,” she said. 

Parents already have plenty to worry about during the holidays, but they’ll surely be thankful for this heads-up.

Originally published as Doctor says common Xmas decoration should be 'outlawed'