Holiday Toy Safety

The holidays are fun but they also are a time for emergency department visits due to injuries from toys. Toys provide children the opportunity to explore the world and develop or refine skills. It is vital every child be given the freedom and encouragement to explore but that does not mean they should be unsupervised. One child in the US is treated in an emergency department every three minutes for toy related injuries. This adds up to over 3 million children receiving treatment from 1990 until 2011 and the number of injuries has increased by 40% since 1990.

The best way to protect your child is by buying toys that are age, interest and skill level appropriate. Read up on the toys you want to purchase before you buy them. Check into the safety record for the toy and make sure there has not been a recall. Make sure all the materials in a toy are labeled non-toxic. This includes lead paint and is especially important when purchasing used toys. Always follow the manufacturer age and restrictions guidelines and never use a toy before you have read all the instructions. This is especially important for all chemistry kit toys that may contain dangerous or toxic chemicals.

Certain types of toys are more risky than others. Toys that must be plugged into a wall outlet are never to be used by a younger child. Electricity can kill your child. Make sure all toys that plug into the wall are UL approved.  Also beware of choking injuries due to objects that are small enough to be swallowed or inhaled and block your child’s airway. Always think big for young children and avoid objects smaller than a ping pong ball. Beware of button batteries, magnets, balloons and plastic tags.  Toys that have a rope, string or ribbon attached can cause strangulation and all riding toys such as a scooter should only be used with supervision and with a properly fitting helmet.

Beware of loud toys that can damage your child’s hearing and be especially careful when using ear buds or head phones.  Always turn on the sound before the ear buds or head phones are placed in or over the ears. Stuffed animals pose the risk of toxic stuffing or stuffing that can be swallowed or aspirated. Loose plastic pellets should never be used for stuffing and beware of toys made of plastic where small pieces can be broken off and choked on. Broken plastic toys often have sharp edges that can cut your child.

Home safety is also important over the holidays. Make sure you properly use safety gates and beware of your child climbing on or falling off of raised surfaces. Electric rockers, exercise machines, recliners and lift chairs can cause entrapment injuries. Extremities and fingers can be caught and crushed. Lastly, be cautious about all furniture and objects that have sharp edges or glass components. These can lead to cuts and blunt trauma injuries.

Most injuries happen when your child is left unattended or unsupervised. Your informed, active and attentive presence is the best protection for your child. Keep all toys organized and in working order. Toys should be cleaned periodically to kill and wash away germs and they should never be used in unintended ways that place your child at risk for injury. Hanging crib toys pose a special risk for choking or strangulation and any toy that shoots objects into the air can cause eye injuries.

A final safety tip is to choose safe places to use a toy. Many toys are safe when used in one location but not in another. Store toys in a location where toys for older children can be kept away from younger children since many toys for older children are very eye catching to young children and can cause injury to a younger child who is not developmentally ready to use that toy.

Follow these guidelines and active play can be safe and a time of discovery and exploration for your child.