The holidays are a wondrous time for a baby. The twinkling lights, warm fires, incredible smells wafting from the kitchen, pretty gifts topped with elaborate bows -- what baby could resist? But before you enthusiastically dive into the holiday season with plans to start new family traditions and cater to visiting relatives, take some steps to prepare for a safe holiday season.

Your Christmas Tree
How will your baby react to this new large, glittering object in your house? If your baby is crawling or scooting, she may want to inspect the tree up close. When choosing a tree, consider a smaller one for this Christmas. A table-top tree is a good choice because it is higher off the ground and leaves plenty of room for all the gifts your new family member is sure to receive. Here are some other tree-safety tips:

• Be sure your tree is secure in the stand. A baby can pull on the branches and topple the tree.
  
  
• Don't use tinsel. Not only is it easy to swallow, but it can get wound up in a baby's fingers, cutting off circulation.
  
  
• Don't use glass ornaments. If you must, place them higher on the tree. Smaller ornaments should also be placed out of baby's reach.
  
  
• Christmas tree lights should be in good working order, with bulbs secured tightly to prevent a fire hazard.
  
  
• If your baby will be left alone near the tree for any length of time, place a multi-sectioned gate around the tree. Or better yet, never leave the baby alone near the tree.

Hanukkah Traditions
In both your own home and in friend's and family's homes, these precautions are worth remembering.

• Make sure to keep your Hanukkah menorah on a high surface, and not too close to the edge of a table. Never leave a child alone in a room with lit candles.
• Frying latkes on the stove? Turn pan handles in, and don't let your toddler get too close -- hot oil can spatter.
• Does your daughter have lovely long locks? Keep them that way -- tie them back before you let her light Hanukkah candles.
• Don't leave dreidles where children under age three can find them and choke on them. And make sure that any "gelt" you offer is safe for your children to eat.

Holiday Parties
Family gatherings are common during the holidays. Whether you are entertaining in your own home, or visiting someone else's, there are a few things you can do to keep baby out of harm's way.

• Don't assume your baby is being supervised just because she is sitting in the middle of a room full of people. Designate care-givers if you will be running errands or cooking. Always know who is watching your baby.
  
  
• Alcoholic drinks, hard candies and nuts, lit candles and other dangerous items should be kept well out of reach. Be sure you alert everyone to this potential danger.
  
  
• The party is in full swing, your kids are wide awake, and well-meaning friends and relatives suggest a few sips of wine will have your little ones in dreamland. Don't do it. Steer your children far away from alcoholic beverages.

• Make sure pets are kept away from your baby. Even a loving family dog can become excitable or even uncontrollable when company is around.
  
  
• Announce to each guest that certain foods are dangerous to your baby, therefore they should not feed her anything without checking with you first. Many holiday dishes are served with ingredients that may not be appropriate for your child.
  
  

• If you are entertaining in your own home, be sure to inform smokers that your baby needs a smoke-free environment. Designate an area outdoors for smokers. If you are invited to a smokers home, politely ask if guests could smoke in only one or two rooms of the house, then keep baby away from those rooms.
  
  
• When visiting other people's homes, ask the host if you can move small breakable and dangerous items to higher places. Work with your host to ensure doors to bathrooms and stairways are closed.
  
  
• Keep your baby away from all plants. Some traditional Christmas plants are poisonous such as mistletoe (berries), holly and poinsettia.

A Word on Gifts
Although it may seem inappropriate to suggest gifts, it is very important to inform people of your baby's special safety needs.

• Most toys have an age listing somewhere on the package. Tell givers to look for your child's age group.
  
  
• Toys that contain small parts are dangerous to children younger than age 3.
  
  
• Some toys are too loud. If the sound a toy makes initiates pain when pressed to the ear, don't buy it.
  
  
• Make sure toys that are purchased for older children will not be dangerous to the baby. Even if the older child is responsible, a chemistry set, for example, could be hazardous to a baby.

Being aware of your baby's surroundings keeps her out of danger, but it also allows you to enjoy the holidays through your child's eyes. Enjoy this special time!

About the Author: Jessica Williams is an iParenting Media contributing writer and mother of two boys.