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Health & Fitness

Keeping the Holidays Merry: Toy Safety Tips

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is urging consumers who plan on buying a children's gift this holiday season to keep a few simple guidelines and tips in mind.

Nothing compares to the joy of seeing a child’s face light up when unwrapping a coveted toy. With the excitement of the holidays, it’s easy for parents to get caught up in buying the latest and greatest toys. But, it is also during the busy holiday season that parents, grandparents, friends or anyone who is buying a toy for a child to forget that if not chosen carefully, even the most coveted toy can pose serious health risks.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 181,00 children under the age of 15 were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries in 2010. Some of the more common types of injuries reported were lacerations, contusions, and abrasions. Sadly, the CPSC also reported 17 toy-related deaths among children under the age of 15 in 2010. 

In the wake of recent massive toy recalls (Mattel’s 2007 recall of 9 million toys for possible lead contamination, Fisher-Price 2010 recall of 10 million toys for choking hazards and potentially fatal injuries), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is urging consumers who plan on buying a children’s gift this holiday season to keep a few simple guidelines and tips in mind when making their final purchases.

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  • Choose a toy that is specified for the age of the child you are buying for. Toys for children under the age of three must meet certain federal standards to prevent choking hazards.
  • Never let a baby or toddler play with toys or games that contain small parts.
  • Read toy warning labels and instructions thoroughly before allowing a child to play with it.
  • To prevent burns or electrical shocks, don’t allow children under the age of ten to play with toys that plug into an electrical outlet.
  • Watch out for toys with batteries, buttons and magnets. If swallowed, these items can cause intestinal problems and even death.
  • Store toys on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kid’s toys away from babies and toddlers.
  • Due to strangulation hazards, toys with a string measuring more than 12 inches in length should not be given to babies.
  • Don’t leave children unattended with balloons. Deflated balloons are a choking-hazard for children under the age of eight.
  • After opening gifts, throw away plastic wrapping or packaging.
  • Inspect hand-me-down toys for small parts, sharp edges and wear.
  • Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the American Academy of Pediatrics website for information about toy safety hazards and recalls.  

 

As a Carlsbad personal injury lawyer and a parent, I know how important toy safety is and hope everyone who has a child on their list will take a few moments to make sure the toys they purchase meet safety guidelines. A little time and research can ensure you and yours have a merry holiday.  

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