Christmas tree risk assessment

**SMullin** · 03-12-2010, 04:52 PM

Hi could someone please give me some ideas for xmas tree risk assessment?

Our tree is out of reach for my 9 month mindee and i have a 2.5yr old and a 4 yr old. Obviously all leads etc tucked away......then i draw a blank

**sarah707** · 03-12-2010, 05:25 PM

Eating baubles... chewing on lights... knocking tree over... choking on needles... slipping on needles... crashing into tree with bikes... climbing to top to get the angel... pulling on branches... glitter / loose bits on decorations especially hand made ones...

Just sit and look at it and risk assess each bit!

**theplayroom** · 03-12-2010, 06:26 PM

Risk assess christmas!!! - what a joke!

(just starting mine now

)

**SamBaker** · 03-12-2010, 06:39 PM

Really?? I'm just doing my risk assessments, you mean i have another to do

Can I get Santa to sign my guest book when he comes in

**Mrs Book** · 03-12-2010, 06:49 PM

OMG hadn't thought I was going to have to risk assess my christmas decs

**wendywu** · 03-12-2010, 06:52 PM

I must be a really bad minder because in all the 14 years i have been working i have never done a written RA for my christmas tree.

And to be honest dont think i will start now

**Daftbat** · 03-12-2010, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by wendywu

I must be a really bad minder because in all the 14 years i have been working i have never done a written RA for my christmas tree.

And to be honest dont think i will start now

I agree - can't we just apply common sense?

I am all for risk assessing but you don't have to write everything down all the time. You would spend all your time doing them. For instance this week because of the bad weather I have had several pairs of boots and wellies lined up against the radiator in the kitchen to dry off, there has been melting snow which has fallen off the boots which I have kept an eye on and mopped as necessary. I have certainly not got a risk assessment for "incase" this happens - you have to risk assess in your head as you go along.

I use a playpen around the christmas tree when I feel its needed and remove it when not. Its not written down - its just peace of mind to stop those mindees who are ALWAYS in to everything making me frazzled!

**ZoeAlli** · 03-12-2010, 07:06 PM

[QUOTE=wendywu;826997]

I must be a really bad minder because in all the 14 years i have been working i have never done a written RA for my christmas tree.

And to be honest dont think i will start now

[/QUOTE]

Well said! I haven't got time to do written RA's for every last little thing children come into contact with. This does not mean I don't have any written RA's or don't RA anything new, I just don't write every last one down!

We all RA naturally as childminders, alot of the time it is just common sense!

Christmas trees have not been an issue before as it is normally out of minding area, however this year, there will hopefully be one in minding area!

If you are writing a Christmas tree RA, have you considered allergic reactions?

**candy cat** · 03-12-2010, 07:10 PM

heard it all now

**a3human** · 03-12-2010, 07:37 PM

Hardly get time to put the tree up... nevermind a RA on it!

**Playmate** · 03-12-2010, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by wendywu

I must be a really bad minder because in all the 14 years i have been working i have never done a written RA for my christmas tree.

And to be honest dont think i will start now

Gosh lots of bad minders on here then

I'm not expecting Ofsted over the festive season so, it will be in my head only

if we keep writting it all down we won't be having Christmas trees in a few years because there won't be any left

**manjay** · 03-12-2010, 08:01 PM

Bad minder here too

**juejue** · 03-12-2010, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by wendywu

I must be a really bad minder because in all the 14 years i have been working i have never done a written RA for my christmas tree.

And to be honest dont think i will start now

I must be one to Wendy, coz I am the same as you. never done one and not doing one. we could go on and on with these RA.

**rickysmiths** · 03-12-2010, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Daftbat

I agree - can't we just apply common sense?

I am all for risk assessing but you don't have to write everything down all the time. You would spend all your time doing them. For instance this week because of the bad weather I have had several pairs of boots and wellies lined up against the radiator in the kitchen to dry off, there has been melting snow which has fallen off the boots which I have kept an eye on and mopped as necessary. I have certainly not got a risk assessment for "incase" this happens - you have to risk assess in your head as you go along.

I use a playpen around the christmas tree when I feel its needed and remove it when not. Its not written down - its just peace of mind to stop those mindees who are ALWAYS in to everything making me frazzled!

What a great idea, never thought of that.

Mind you the first Christmas tree to go up is for the children and it hangs on the wall out of the way! I also must admit have never done a written risk assessment for the tree. I have done it though by hanging it on the wall and only using wooden decorations on it so no glass ones can fall and break,but its in my head.

**Twinkles** · 03-12-2010, 08:48 PM

I am going to write a risk assessment for this HUGE pile of risk assessments I have.
Surely they must be dangerous ?

Paper cuts
Risk of injury if said pile topples over and lands on someone
Lack of oxygen due to all the trees being cut down for the paper
Childminder having nervous breakdown in corner due to all the paperwork

Kimmy050983 · 03-12-2010, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by Twinkles

I am going to write a risk assessment for this HUGE pile of risk assessments I have.
Surely they must be dangerous ?

Paper cuts
Risk of injury if said pile topples over and lands on someone
Lack of oxygen due to all the trees being cut down for the paper
Childminder having nervous breakdown in corner due to all the paperwork

**SMullin** · 03-12-2010, 09:16 PM

Thank you Sarah for your help...............every one else im expecting my first inspection soon so just covering my back!

**wendywu** · 03-12-2010, 09:22 PM

[

QUOTE=SWard;827075]Thank you Sarah for your help...............every one else im expecting my first inspection soon so just covering my back!

[/QUOTE]

What in pine needles

ho ho ho

**sweets** · 03-12-2010, 09:37 PM

i am BIG hater of RA, cannot see the point of them at all, i havnt actually looked at or reviewd mine for about 18months, i will do it just before my next insp

BUT i can see why you think we might need one, if we have to have daft RA for going a different way to school because of a pot hole, or going to the shops or playing with playdough. then i suppose having something in the corner of the room that may potentially hurt a child if they decided to climb it may be useful.

not that i have any intention of writing one! lol

**glitzygal** · 03-12-2010, 10:20 PM

OH DEAR,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

u are all very naughty, wat would mrs O say,,,,,,tut tut tut

i have done mine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

JOKING,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

lol i am naughty to, what can we all put????