TOY SAFETY HINTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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Though we hate to admit it, the holidays are just around the
corner, and for many, that means toy buying time.  It’s great to watch a child open a package
and find a toy he or she has wanted. Hopefully, it will be a toy they can enjoy safely and for a long
time.  Before you rush out to buy toys for the children in your life, review these helpful hints on toy safety.

Primary Toy Accident Sources

The most recent Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) statistics tell us that the largest cause, by far, of baby and toddler
fatalities and injuries associated with toys is strangulation/asphyxiation.  The next largest
group is cuts and abrasions.  This tells us that we need to focus on toys that can cause a child to choke or to become
entangled in something.  It also says we should focus on anything with sharp edges that might cut a child.  The largest source of choking incidents is
un-inflated balloons or pieces of broken/exploded balloons.  Kids put them in their mouths, only to have the balloon cover the windpipe.
Preventing Toy Accidents
The easiest way to avoid this problem is to keep unused balloons out of a child’s reach and immediately pick up any used balloon pieces
and properly dispose of them.  Marbles and toys with small pieces should also be kept out of the reach of babies and
young children (at least age three, but more on that in a minute).  As a general guideline, if an object can pass
through a toilet paper roll, it is too small for little guys.
Likewise, avoid any toys that have strings or cords dangling from them.  Cords can easily become wrapped around a baby’s neck, causing asphyxiation.  Cords can be shortened and cut so there are
no loops or long ends.  Better yet, just don’t buy toys with cords or strings. Crib toys with strings should be removed when the child is old enough to push up onto hands and knees.
Be sure to buy toys with smooth surfaces.  Be sure to inspect toys periodically to ensure that plastic surfaces haven’t worn away to provide a sharp edge, or that
wooden surfaces haven’t developed splinters. If the wear can be repaired successfully or if sharp splinters are sanded away, all is well.  If those repairs can’t be made, however, then the toy should be thrown away.
More Child Safety Tips With Toys
Once you’ve purchased safe toys, the best control is supervision.  No one can be looking over the child’s shoulder constantly, but you can look at the toys occasionally to
be sure they are in good shape, and to repair or discard those that are worn or damaged.  Look for the possibility that a toy has broken and thereby released small pieces that a child could swallow.  Supervision helps to ensure that the toys of older children haven’t been mixed with the younger child’s or that older toys haven’t been left out where a baby or toddler can get to them.  Toys and games meant for older children often have small parts that can cause a choking hazard.
Toy storage can be handled in a variety of ways, but the most common are toy chests or shelves. Both need to be checked for splinters and sharp edges.  Toy boxes must be made so that hinges won’t
pinch fingers.  Lids must stay open when the child is selecting or putting away toys.  If the lid comes down unexpectedly, the child could be seriously hurt or
trapped.  Be certain that the chest has air holes drilled in the sides or top so that a potentially trapped child won’t suffocate.  Be sure that any home-made
toys meet these standards, and resist the temptation to use antique toy chests because they very well may involve lead paint.
Toy Buying Guidelines
Pick toys that are age-appropriate, while also considering the child’s interests and capabilities.  An individual child can be a little ahead or
behind certain age-appropriate guidelines. Read the labels on toys.  They don’t tell all, but they will help you to choose the best toys for your child.  Toys should not contain or be painted with
lead, and chemicals known as phthalates (used as plastic softeners) should not be an ingredient.   Avoid noise-making
toys, like cap guns, which will generate noise levels high enough to damage the child’s hearing.  Remember that propelled
toys are for older children only.  Always store toys made for older children and adults away from toys for the little people.

Summing up, remember that most child toy deaths and accidents occur as the result of strangulation or asphyxiation, cuts or abrasions, motorized toys and chemicals.  So, avoid balloons, marbles and toys with small pieces for the little guys. Keep toys in good repair and store toys made for older kids out of the reach of babies and toddlers.  Keep toy chests and other storage in good
repair.  Be careful to supervise toy activities from time to time.