SAN DIEGO -- Protecting your child from danger is a parent's No. 1 job. But, too many parents allow hazards in their homes to go unchecked, especially during the holidays.

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Safety Expert Gives Tips To Keep Home Safe

Keeping Megan and Otto safe takes a lot of supervision. But Bessie Geilenfeldt, a safety expert, has help from the safety equipment installed in her home -- from the basic, like an electrical outlet cover, to the clever "door jamb."

"This is a door jamb. It kind of looks like a tooth, but you put it in the door and then when you shut the door, they can't get their fingers stuck," Geilenfeldt explained.

Geilenfeldt keeps the cords to her blinds up and out of reach. She also keeps cabinets locked so exploring hands stay safe from equipment.

But now that the holidays are near, there are new safety concerns for Geilenfeldt and every parent.

Candles and Christmas trees cause thousands of house fires every year and ornaments are just as dangerous, 10News reported.

"When you're putting ornaments on your tree, put glass ornaments up high where the child can't reach them. Anything that they could stick in their mouth that could be a choke hazard, put that up high," Geilenfeldt said.

Children should also stay out of the kitchen during holiday cooking.

"The kitchen's a real big one. The stove or the oven has a lot of knobs -- they like to turn them," Geilenfeldt said.

And remember, your children are watching you and your attitude toward safety.

"So, if mommy stands up on a chair to get something that's on top of the refrigerator, they are going to mimic that. They're going to get on a wonderful toy," Geilenfeldt said.

Geilenfeldt also said parents should clean up immediately after holiday parties. Too many children suffer alcohol poisoning after drinking from glasses left out, over night.

Project QKids is a joint effort between 10News, KPBS and the First Five Commission of San Diego aimed at improving the lives of children, ages infant to five.