December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month – Part 2

December 20, 2019 — Health & Safety Tips

This is the second part of a two-part article featuring a guide for the Safe Toys and Gifts Month. In the first of a two-part article, we have discussed how to tell the difference between safe and unsafe toys.

Now let’s discuss the most common toy injuries in children.

Toys provide entertainment and give joy to children, especially during the yuletide season. However, many of them have hidden hazards for kids, causing them injuries.

Accidents can happen in an instant. At Physicians Premier, your ER in Corpus Christi, we have seen our share of toy-related injuries, especially during this time of the year.

It can happen in a blink of an eye. One moment, your toddler is happily playing. The next, they are choking, injured, or swallowed something that could give them grave internal damage… or something far worse.

A lot of parents are safety experts when it comes to baby proofing, best sleep practices, and car seat safety, but toy safety may not always be at the top of their list. After all, toys are designed with children in mind; they are just toys, right?

That doesn’t make them completely safe.

In the year 2018 alone, there are about 226,100 toy-related injuries in the United States for all age groups. According to the November 2019 report of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, the major toy categories that are related to injuries in kids are:

Toy balls
Nonmotorized scooters
Toy vehicles
Unspecified toys

Below are the top 10 toy-related injuries resulting in emergency department visits.

Lacerations
Abrasions and contusions
Sprains and strains
Internal injuries
Fractures
Concussions
Ingestion of toy parts or toys
Puncture injuries
Dislocation

Safety tips for toy gifting

Purchasing a gift for a child doesn’t just involve buying the most trending toy of the season. Remember that safety is a priceless gift!

Research on which toys aren’t safe for children and avoid those.
Give toys that are age-appropriate.
Understand how to use the toy properly so you can teach your child how to use it.
Adults should be present when the children are opening their gifts. They should thoroughly inspect toys to make sure they are safe before giving them to their kids to play with.
Purchase quality toys as they are less likely to break and cause harm.
Toys that are battery-operated can pose a risk. Button batteries can cause internal burns when ingested. They can be found in small electronic toys, musical greeting cards, or children’s books.
Ride-on toys can tip. They can move fast, so the possibility that the children riding them can bump into objects, fall down the stairs, or roll into dangerous situations should be considered.
Presents should be placed in a safe place where kids cannot grab them.

Physicians Premier, your ER in Corpus Christi, is open 24/7 everyday – including holidays. We hope that you will keep these safety tips in mind to avoid possible injuries.

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