By: Jana L. Davidson, Education Content Specialist for the Progressive Agriculture Foundation
This holiday season while shopping for that special child in your life, don’t overlook one important detail – safety. Many times when we purchase gifts for kids, we hope to get that “wow” factor. This year, gift giving can still have that same excitement, but can come with the addition of a safety message.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 256,700 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2013. Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for a toy:
- Identify the age-appropriateness of the item and examine the toy for small, loose parts that could be swallowed by young children.
- Make sure the toys have a non-toxic, durable finish and be sure they contain no unhealthy chemicals (Phthalates, lead, etc.).
- Carefully look for points, edges, and breakable parts that could be sharp and injury a child
- Be cautious with items that contain a button battery. Young children can often locate these on certain toys and if swallowed can suffer chemical burns in as little as two hours.
If you want to avoid electronics, scooters, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates/roller blades, and all-terrain vehicle (ATVs) for older youth are often favorite gifts and reinforce a healthy, active lifestyle.
In addition to assuring the gift is both sturdy and stable, follow-up with proper safety equipment like knee pads, elbow pads, and helmets. Ensure that helmets are fitted correctly and that the child wears them each and every time. Trampolines often make popular gifts too, but make sure to complete your purchase with a safety net!
When giving a gift to a family, consider practicality. Items like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers may be scarce in a family’s home or farm. Sometimes families neglect to purchase these items on their own due to expense or failing to realize the item’s importance. For new parents, there are great gifts out there to help baby-proof the home.
This safety message was brought to you by Clearfield County Safe Kids Coalition. Our local coalition is part of Safe Kids Worldwide (http://www.safekids.org/), a global organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children, the number one killer of kids in the United States.
For more information please contact Judy Patterson, Nutrition-Safety Advisor for Cenclear, at 814-342-5678 Ext. 2264. The coalition always welcomes new members and meets the last Tuesday each month at noon at Cenclear, 50 Bigler Rd., Bigler, PA 16825.
Donations to our local Clearfield County Safe Kids Coalition are tax-deductible and can help ensure the word about safe practices can be spread not just during the holiday season, but all year long. Clearfield County Safe Kids is a co-sponsor of Clearfield County’s Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® held each September, Cenclear’s Safety Expo held each October, and various other safety events throughout the county.
