By Susan Rzucidlo, M.S.N.,R.N.
The holiday season is here and for many kids that means one thing: toys. Approximately 50 percent of all toy purchases in the United States occur between the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are so many choices for toys, but the most important thing is to choose the right toy for the right age child. Often times, people get so caught up in gift buying that they don’t stop to consider whether the gifts they’re purchasing are safe for children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toy manufacturers to meet stringent safety standards and to label certain toys that could be a hazard for younger children. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide. Labels on toys that state “not recommended for children under three…contains small parts,” are labeled that way because they may pose a choking hazard to children under three. Toys should be developmentally appropriate to suit the skills, abilities and interests of the child
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released its top five toy hazards which are:
–Scooters and other riding toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times and be sized to fit.
–Small balls and other toys with small parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
–Balloons – Children under eight years can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep un-inflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.
–Magnets – For children younger than age six, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries or death can occur.
–Chargers and adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.
Also keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics:
–recommends against the home use of trampolines.
–recommends that children younger than age 16 should not ride on four-wheel all-terrain vehicles and advises a ban on the sale of all three-wheeled ATVs.
–advises that children are at high risk of getting hurt from non-powder guns, like BB guns, pellet guns, air rifles, and paintball guns.
The following information is excerpted from www.toyinfo.org to assist with safe toy choices when shopping for and opening gifts this holiday season. Always double check product recalls online at www.cpsc.gov which is the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission website before you buy: With the increased popularity of second-hand stores and on-line vendors, gift-givers should be especially vigilant to prevent the purchase of hazardous toys or products that have been recalled, banned or do not meet current safety standards.
When shopping for toys and gifts:
–Check and follow age recommendations and other safety information on packaging (age grading is based mostly on safety and the child’s development).
–Consider purchasing a gift of safety such as a bike helmet, the next stage of car seat for a child who may be ready to graduate to a booster seat, sports safety gear or smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
–Avoid toys with small parts for children younger than age three.
–Make sure that batteries in toys are firmly enclosed and inaccessible to children.
–For children younger than 18 months of age, avoid toys with strings, straps or cords longer than 12 inches.
–Check to see that plush (stuffed) toys have age-appropriate features such as embroidered or secured eyes and noses for younger children and seams that are reinforced to withstand an older child’s play.
–Avoid toys with sharp points or rough edges, especially for younger children.
Once the packages are opened:
–Read instructions carefully; save directions, warranties and assembly hardware.
–Role play the right way to use the toy or game and explain to your child the importance of proper use.
–Dispose of all unnecessary toy packaging and gift-wrap as soon as possible (piles of discarded gift-wrap can conceal sharp objects or the edges of hard plastic packaging that can cut small fingers).
–Store toys safely in an easily accessible storage bin; lidded toy storage should be non-locking and have special safety features such as air holes, spring-loaded hinges and clearances at the hinges to make sure little fingers won’t get caught.
–Keep a separate toy chest for older children whose toys may contain small parts; enlist their help in keeping their toys out of reach of younger siblings.
For more tips on how to keep your family safe throughout the year, visit www.usa.safekids.org orwww.pennstatehershey.org/injuryprevention or contact Safe Kids Dauphin County Coalition, led by Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, at 717-531-SAFE (7233).
Susan Rzucidlo, M.S.N., R.N., is the pediatric trauma and injury prevention program manager at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and coordinator of Safe Kids Dauphin County.