Holiday Toy Safety Reminders for Parents
With millions of Chinese-made toys pulled from shelves over safety fears in recent months, deciding what to get your kids for the holidays has become an increasingly difficult decision. The holidays are dangerous enough without having to worry about giving children gifts that could harm them.
Although toy recall lists are available in many stores and online, many parents still don’t know which toys are affected and are concerned that an unprecedented number of recalled items are still available. So many concerned parents are increasingly turning to non-chewable items like electronics and sports gifts. Anyway, before you get overwhelmed with recalls and choking hazards, here are some tips to make sure this season’s toys keep kids happy, safe, and healthy:
Put the toys aside! What delights a first grader may endanger a toddler. If you have older children, you should have them properly store their toys away from younger children. Would you leave a beer for a 2 year old to drink? So why leave out a toy that could potentially be eaten? If you give gifts to children, clearly specify which gift is for which child.
Throw things out of the packaging! Plastic boxes, bags, or ties can present choking and cutting hazards, so throw them away as soon as possible. Try to inspect the packaging to make sure it doesn’t appear to have been opened or that important pieces have been left behind.
Instructions, read them! Take some extra time to read the instructions and properly put together a gift that could save you a trip to the emergency room. Try to build the toy ahead of time so you don’t worry about any unsafe packaging or an anxious child!
Just ask! If parents have anything, they are opinions. Ask any mom in the toy department of the store and chances are she’ll tell you something about child safety and probably recommend a popular age-appropriate gift for her. Or ask a store clerk to guide you to the right gift for the child on her list.
Safety! Safety! Safety!
o Safety First – Make sure your child is trained to use toys and sports equipment correctly.
o Avoid electrocution and other injuries by not letting children recharge their own toys or batteries.
o Use the recommended age because it’s not about how smart your child is, it’s about safety.
o Carefully inspect toys and avoid small magnets or other detachable parts that could be choking hazards.
o Supervise your children and stay involved while they play.
Educate yourself on toy recalls and safety guidelines, because with everything that could go wrong during the holiday season, a little awareness can go a long way. And it will save you a trip to the hospital. Empower yourself to make a safe toy/gift choice. Happy and safe Christmas holidays to all!