Children are always excited to receive gifts and toys during the holidays. Unfortunately, some toys can pose a safety hazard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 110,000 children under 15 years of age are treated for toy related injuries each year. Half of these injuries are among children younger than 5 years of age and could have been prevented. Help ensure a safe, and happy holiday season by always keeping these age appropriate safety guidelines in mind when choosing gifts for your children.
Under 3 Years Old
- Avoid toys with small removable parts or parts that could fall off. These can be a choking hazard.
- Look for sturdy construction on items with small parts such as Teddy Bears.
- Watch for items that can be compressed to a size small enough to be put in a baby’s mouth such as a squeeze toy.
- Toys with strings, straps, or cords longer than 7 inches can be a strangulation hazard.
- Avoid teethers or soft plastic toys with chemical components such as Pthlates which can be toxic.
Under 7 Years Old
- All toys should be free of sharp glass or metal edges and should not have parts that could break to expose them.
- Avoid shooting toys such as Air rifles, Arrows, BB guns, Dart guns, Missiles, etc.
- Avoid Chemistry sets or Art kits that could contain toxic chemicals.
- Avoid Electric operated toys with electrical or moving parts that are not enclosed.
All Ages
- Always read labels for age recommendations
- Always read the instructions for proper toy use
- Avoid toys that produce loud noises that could impair a child’s hearing
- Immediately discard plastic wrappings, which can lead to suffocation.
By following these simple guidelines and using a little common sense while toy shopping you can avoid accidents and make your holiday a safe one.
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