The Dangers of Coin Sized Batteries at Christmas

The gadgets  you buy this year as gifts could pose a real threat for children!

Inside mini remote controls, small calculators, watches, flameless candles, singing greeting cards along with other electronics may be very powerful coin-sized  button batteries – the perfect size to get stuck in  a little ones throat.

The batteries can cause choking, but can also get lodged in the child’s throat triggering an electrical current which can cause a chemical reaction caused by the saliva, this in turn can  severely  burn the childs esophagus.

The best preventative measure you can take is to always check your childs new toys to be sure you are aware of the small parts on the toy and if it contains any small batteries. You can then decide if you think the toy is safe for your little one or not.

Remember children under 3 tend to put everything in their mouth.

Have a Merry Christmas!

The Staff at KidSafe

 

Toy Safety This Christmas

While your children are most likely making their list for Santa and their eyes may light up over all the shiny toys on the market this time of year – you need to remember that some of these items account for hundreds of thousands of injuries each year. In 2009 alone, it was reported that there was an estimated 181,900 toy-related injuries, stating that nearly ½ of these injuries occurred in children 5 or under.

In order to keep your little ones safe please take a moment and read over some great reminders when it comes to kids, toys and safety.

• Kids 3 and under tend to put most everything in their mouth, avoid toys with small parts, they can become a choking hazard.
• Avoid marbles, and small balls that are smaller than 1.75 inches for kids under 3.
• Remember kids 3 and under pull, prod and twist toys, make sure toys with eyes, noses and other parts are secure.
• Keep in mind a child’s age when buying gifts this season
• Get rid of the plastic that toys are wrapped in; it can be a real hazard in the wrong little hands.
• Toys with long strings or cords may be very dangerous to infants and very young kids.
• Always remember projectile toys can turn into weapons and can injure eyes very easily.

It’s good to remember that protecting children from an unsafe toys is all of our responsibilities. Careful toy selection and proper supervision of kids while they play is the best way to make sure they do not get injured while playing.

Now go have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and remember its always more fun to play with a friend, so this Christmas get on your knees, crawl around, enjoying the new toys and best of all enjoy the smile you’ll see on your little ones face while you play with them.

Merry Christmas: from the staff at KidSafeInc.com.

 

Child Safe Gift Buying Guide

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.