Whether you’re searching store shelves at the toy store or scrolling through pages of toys on your favorite discount website, statistics show that most parents will be purchasing their child’s holiday gifts in the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Rushing to find the year’s hottest toys might seem like a good idea, but safety should be the first consideration. Each year, an estimated 169,300 toy-related injuries in children ages 14 years and younger are treated in hospital emergency rooms across the United States. “Right now parents are in the middle of the country’s busiest toy-buying season, and the new safety standards allow them to shop with more confidence than ever,” said Susan Burchfield, the trauma injury prevention specialist at Scott & White Healthcare, and the Safe Kids Mid-Texas coordinator. “However, it doesn’t mean we should throw caution to the wind. Shoppers should still make sure they are buying age appropriate toys and following important toy safety guidelines.” Below are a few tips to help keep your children safe and happy this holiday season. When Selecting a Toy This Season •Choose toys suitable to your child’s age, abilities and skill level. Toys not appropriate for your child’s age group may pose safety hazards. •Avoid toys with small removable parts, which could pose a choking hazard to children younger than 3 years of age. •Look for high-quality design and construction. Make sure stuffed animals’ eyes, noses and other small parts are tightly secured. •Avoid sharp points or edges on toys for kids under 8. •Avoid electrical toys with heating elements (batteries or electrical plugs) for children under 8. •Be sure to read the labels on all toys. Follow Age Recommendations When Selecting Toys Many toy-related injuries occur when parents overestimate their child’s ability to handle a toy designed for an older child, according to Burchfield. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends these guidelines for age-appropriate toys. Infants under age 1 Children just beginning to crawl and move around could encounter choking hazards. The most suitable toys could include activity quilts, stuffed animals without button noses in eyes, bath toys, soft dolls, baby swings, cloth books and squeaky toys. Children ages 1 to 3 This age group doesn’t have a sense of danger, but likes to climb, jump and throw. Ideal toys would be books, blocks, fit-together toys, balls, push and pull toys, pounding toys and shape toys. Children 3 to 5 Children this age are testing their physical strength and developing large and fine motor skills. Toys might include nontoxic art supplies, videos, musical instruments and outdoor toys such as baseball tee, slide or swing. Children ages 5 to 9 These children are becoming more creative and more physically active. Recommended toys include craft materials, jump ropes, puppets, books, electric trains and sports equipment. Children ages 9 to 14 At this age, children enjoy team sports and games that require increased dexterity. Strenuous physical activity is also popular for this age group. Appropriate gifts might include computers, microphones, table and board games, and outdoor and team sports equipment. Include Proper Safety Gear If a bike or skateboard will be under the tree this year, it is important to include the proper safety gear to ensure your child’s safety. Each year, in the U.S., approximately 130 children ages 14 and under die in bicycle-related crashes and more than 280,000 children ages 14 and under are treated in emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries. •Include a helmet as part of the gift. Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent. •Buy reflective clothing, stickers or bike accessories. •Buy a bike horn or bell. This will help warn motorists or pedestrians of a bicyclist’s approach. •Buy elbow and knee pads and wrist guards for inline skates, roller blades and skateboards. Check For Recent Recalls If you plan to purchase used toys, make sure to check the recall list for any toys that have been considered unsafe. Visit recalls.gov to find out about recent recalls. By joining the e-mail subscription list, you are automatically notified when a product is recalled. World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) also produces a “10 Worst Toys” list and offers tips on what parents should look out for during their holiday toy shopping. Mailing back the warranty and product registration forms for new toys will also help you stay informed when a toy has been recalled. For more information about how to keep your children safe not only during the holidays, but all through the year, visit Safe Kids USA at usa.safekids.org or call 254-724-1431.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:03:01 +0000
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