December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month

 

The big December holidays are upon us. Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! This month is the largest gift giving and gift receiving month of the year. What will the children we love want for 2022? It is such a joy to see their eyes light up with excitement when they open a gift. Their reactions are priceless. As we search for the most popular or most imaginative or most fun toys, it’s important not to forget about toy safety. Ask yourself if the toys you are choosing are age-appropriate and safe.

Toymakers have toys recalled every year due to safety concerns. These recalls and other helpful information can be found on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website. The CPSC is an independent federal regulatory agency that works to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths from products out in the market. They closely monitor and regulate toys. Any toys either made in the United States or imported into the United States after 1995, must follow the CPSC standards.  https://www.cpsc.gov/.

Toy-related injuries and emergency room visits happen year-round. But this time of year, is the most problematic. We need to take our own precautions as we shop for our loved ones.

The following advice can be helpful:

• Check the age, skill level and abilities on a toy before you purchase it to make sure it is a good match for the child you are buying it for
• Avoid buying toys that have parts that fly off, especially if there are younger children in the household
• Toys shouldn’t have any sharp or pointed edges
• Sports equipment gifts should have protective equipment given along with them
• Don’t give toys that heat up or have ropes, cords or straps
• Inspect toys your child receives as gifts
• Stuffed toys should be able to be washed
• Toys that are made from fabric should be labeled flame retardant or resistant
• Be especially cautious of toys for infants and children under the age of three
• Make sure markers and crayons are listed as nontoxic
• Supervise your children when they are playing, especially young children
• Don’t give toys with small parts to young children who may put everything into their mouths, due to a choking risk. Choking hazards can also include small balls, broken balloons and marbles. Button batteries and magnets can cause serious injury or death if ingested.
• Keep children safe from toys that contain lead. Be a smart consumer and learn about lead exposure and its symptoms. Painted toys must use lead-free paint.
• Older toys passed down in the family might not meet current safety standards
• Make sure toys aren’t too loud for your child. Toys can damage hearing, especially if a child holds it directly to their ears.
• For children with special needs, choose toys that can appeal to their different senses. Think about their abilities as you choose.
• Look for a label from the ATSM (American Society for Testing and Materials) on toys you are purchasing. It proves the toy meets certain consumer safety standards.

Whatever holidays you celebrate in December, all of us here at Practice Transformation Institute wish you and your families a wonderful and injury-free holiday season.