As a parent, it’s only natural to want your children to lead a safe, happy life. However, thousands of kids each year end up visiting the emergency room due to toy-related injuries. According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 200,000 children under the age of 14 years old experience injury from dangerous toys each year. Although many of these do not require overnight hospitalization, these injuries have occasionally resulted in death for a small percentage of kids.
Toys make the perfect gift for kids on birthdays, special occasions and holidays. However, the wrong types of toys can cause choking or strangulation hazards or even damage your child’s hearing. Given the wide range of toys available on the market, what are the top concerns to watch out for?
Bigger Is Better
Toys with small parts can present a choking hazard, particularly to smaller children under the age of 3 years old. The best test to see if the toy is appropriate is to use a toilet paper roll tube. If the item can make its way through that, then it’s a definite safety hazard for your little one. Also, keep an eye out for toy warning labels, as well as toys made of materials that may be able to be crushed or balled up and swallowed.
Shop With Industry Leaders
Everyone loves a bargain, particularly cash-strapped parents. However, occasionally bargain toys can break, contain toxic materials or unidentified small parts, causing injury. Look for well-made toys from award winning companies like Baby Einstein who pride themselves on creating safely structured, age-appropriate toys for your tots. Also look for toys from companies that regularly appear on parent and government award sites and “best of” lists.
Magnetic Charm
It may come as a surprise, but toys with magnets can cause serious complications and risks in children if accidentally swallowed. Today’s magnets are not only powerful, but their shiny look can look like appealing candy to kids. Watch out for magnets used in jewelery and building toys, as well as colorful letter magnets used on your home refrigerator.
Lead and Toxic Worries
Although lead toys may be a thing of the past, vintage toys are still handed down and bought for today’s little ones. Surprisingly, the CPSC, PIRG and children’s health groups have discovered high levels of lead paint on recent toys (especially those made before 2009), vinyl lunch boxes and bibs, and in children’s costume jewelry. Try purchasing a home test kit to ensure your child is not be accidentally exposed. Also aim to buy wooden or cloth toys when possible.
Get the Right Gear
Active toys such a bicycles, scooters, skateboards and skates pose obvious dangers to today’s kids. Be sure to set ground rules for your children on where they can use these items, being sure to stress the importance of staying out of the street and avoiding road vehicles. Additionally, providing your kids with protective gear such as knee and elbow pads and helmets can go along way to injury prevention.
Stay on Top of Those Recalls
Hundreds of toys and games are recalled every year due to safety issues, so it’s important to check lists regularly against what’s in your child’s toy chest. It’s easy to stay informed using government sponsored sites such as Recalls.gov, which also offer an email service to provide you with alerts on the latest product call backs.
A child getting a new toy should bring laughs and smiles, not injuries and trips to the emergency room. Pay close attention not only to the toys that you buy for your children, but also what they receive as presents to ensure they are playing with high quality, safe and age appropriate toys. By keeping attentive to what your kids are playing with, you can ensure they lead a happy and injury free childhood.