More than 170,000 children, ages 15 and under, are treated in US hospital emergency rooms each year for toy-related injuries. With Hanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa all celebrated in December, friends and family are spending millions of dollars on gifts for the children in their lives. However, some people get so wrapped up in gift buying they don’t stop to consider whether their gifts are safe for children or not.
The month of December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month and it is the perfect time to be sure parents and loved ones purchase safe toys for children. When shopping for toys, the following tips will help keep children safe this holiday season:
• Make sure to consider the child’s age. Follow age recommendations on the packaging closely.
• Look for safety approval on the packaging label. Toys that are well constructed and meet the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standards will have a label saying so.
• Often, toys are recalled for safety reasons. For updates and information on recently recalled toys visit www.safekids.org.
• Avoid toys with sharp points, sharp edges, loud noises and projectiles.
• Avoid toys with strings, straps and cords longer than 7 inches, as these pose a risk of strangulation for young children.
• When purchasing sporting goods also purchase proper safety equipment such as helmets, padding, facemasks and/or eye protection.
• Always keep a close watch on young children while they are playing.
Don’t forget to periodically examine your child’s older toys. Look for sharp edges and points that may have developed, repair broken toys and discard toys that cannot be fixed. Keep the holidays merry, bright and emergency room-free this holiday season by making sure any new gifts are safe and approved for your child.
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