December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month – Part 1

December 18, 2019 — Health & Safety Tips

December is Christmas season, a perfect time for giving gifts. We at Physicians Premier, your Corpus Christi, TX emergency room, would like to show our appreciation to the communities we serve by preparing a simple guide for safe toys this season.

According to the November 2019 report of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was an estimated 226,100 toy-related injuries in 2018. The importance of gifting safe toys cannot be stressed enough.

Majority of the toy-related injuries were sustained by children under 15 years of age, with lacerations as the main diagnosis, followed by abrasions, concussions, and fractures.

The market is abundant with new toys, so it’s best to always be in-the-know when it comes to updates on recalled toys.

What is a safe toy?

Be aware of the following:

Always look for the American Society of Testing Materials (ATSM) label.
Choose art supplies that are non-toxic.
Purchase stuffed animals with materials that can be washed.
Toys made out of fabric should be labeled as flame retardant or flame resistant.
Make sure that toys do not contain lead paint.
Do not forget to read the safety precautions and warnings that come with toys.
Make sure that you are gifting a toy that is appropriate for the child’s age, abilities, and maturity.

What are potentially dangerous toys?

It can be hard to determine the difference between a safe toy and a ‘bad’ or harmful one. Avoid the following toys at all costs:

Toys with spikes, sharp edges, dangerous rigid points, or rods.
Toys that cannot withstand impact. Do not buy toys that have the potential to break into hazardous shards.
Toys that include flying parts or projectile toys can cause injuries. BB guns are not considered as toys. If you really want to buy one, consider the child’s age first. Never let the kids play unsupervised.
Toys with pull strings that are longer than 7 inches.
Stay away from extremely loud toys. Too loud a sound can damage a young one’s ears.
Avoid giving toys with small parts to kids under the age of 3.

What are the most common toy injuries in kids, and are there other specific toy gifting safety tips you should observe? Watch out for the next installment of this two-part series.

If you need us, keep in mind that Physicians Premier, your Corpus Christi, TX emergency room is open 24/7 for your family during the holidays.

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