December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the United States has developed a comprehensive toy safety system. By upholding strict lead and phthalates restrictions for toys; and intercepting illegal and harmful toys at ports and in the marketplace.
As holidays are just around the corner, children receive most of their toys this time of the year. Toys that are unsafe or improper for children's age can cause harm, blindness, and even death. Every year, around 240,000 toy-related injuries are addressed in emergency departments.
Buying toys and other gifts are one of the most exciting parts of the holiday season, In all the eagerness, it's easy to forget about simple safety. So, before making any purchases this year, remember to keep safety in mind so that the holidays don't turn into the scariest time of the year.
Safety Tips
Here are some guidelines to remember when choosing, giving, and playing with toys:
- Age-appropriateness: Toys designed for older children may be dangerous to younger siblings who are curious. When buying a toy or game, keep your child's age in mind. Read all of the age recommendations, as well as the directions and warning labels, on the packaging. When keeping toys at home, sort them by age.
- Provide safety gear: Make sure helmets and safety gears are sized to fit and worn properly when riding toys like skateboards, skates, and scooters. Provide suitable safety equipment with the sporting equipment—children should be taught how to use them.
- Choking hazards: Before you choose the right toy, look for tiny pieces or any potential choking dangers. Small game pieces, anything that resembles sweets or food, and even soft, spongy toys that can be bitten into should all be avoided. For youngsters under the age of three, marbles and balls with a diameter of 1.75 inches or less should be avoided.
- Toss out broken toys: Check toys for damage or broken pieces on a regular basis. Sharp edges can cause cuts, while little fragments might cause choking. If a child's toy breaks, make sure he or she takes it to a parent to fix or discard.
- Safe storage: To avoid trips and falls, put toys away after playtime is over. Toys can be kept in bins, baskets, shelves, or toy box. Make sure there are no holes or hinges where young fingers may get caught. To avoid rust, mold, and other damage, outdoor toys should be maintained in a secure, dry location.
- Choose non-toxics: When choosing art supplies for young children, such as crayons and paint kits, look for washable and non-toxic choices. Look for products branded "ASTM D-4236," which signifies they've been examined by a toxicologist and are correctly labeled for chronic health risks.
- Avoid Toys that hurt: BB guns, lawn darts, projectile-firing toys, and other realistic-looking toy weapons are typically cited as the most hazardous choices. For a number of reasons, balloons, high-powered magnets, noise-making goods, battery-operated toys, and others that require electricity are additional threats.
- Once gifts are opened: Before the plastic wrapping or other toy packaging becomes unsafe playthings, throw it away right away. Toys for older children should be kept away from younger siblings. In case of battery-required toys: Adults should oversee battery charging. Young children are at risk of heat burns from chargers and adapters. Pay attention to the battery charger's directions and warnings. Some chargers don't have any safeguards against overcharging.
- Stay up to date on toy recalls: Safe Kids compiles child-specific product recalls and sends out twice-monthly e-mail warnings for recent recalls. At http://safekids.salsalabs.org/recalls-newsletter/index.html, you may sign up for the latest recall information.
Playtime is an important element of a child's healthy development and growth, as toys can support learning but ensure a merry and injury-free holiday season comes first.
For more information:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002473.htm
https://www.kidshealth.org/en/parents/safe-toys.html
https://child-familyservices.org/december-is-national-safe-toys-and-gifts-month/