Toys for Tots—Make Sure They’re Safe. Five Tips for Avoiding Toy-Related Injuries

With the holidays approaching, you may be looking forward to picking out that extra special toy for your son or daughter, grandchild, niece, or nephew. However, while you’re struggling to find something he/she will really like, remember to keep safety in mind. According to Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, over 150,000 children ages 14 and under were treated at hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries in 2003, and nearly half of those were under age 4. Eleven of those children died. To help keep the children you love safe at holidays and birthdays, follow these tips when shopping for toys.

1. Watch for choking hazards. Sixty-four percent of toy-related deaths in 2003 were due to choking, and about 71 percent of those attributed to toy balls. Buy age-appropriate items, and don’t give toys with small parts to toddlers, as young children tend to put everything in their mouths. Even if you’ve gotten a toy for your child’s age, inspect it for cracks, breaks, and missing parts before you give it to the child, and then, if it breaks while he’s using it, take it away, as small pieces can cause choking. Be careful of magnets as well. If they come loose and your child swallows one or more, they can cause serious intestinal problems.
2. Pass by the projectiles. Toys that include parts that fly off are more likely than most to cause injury. Slingshots, high-powered water guns, bows and arrows, darts, and other similar firing items can hit children in the eyes and face and cause serious damage. If you do go for one of these, look for soft ends on the projectiles, and slow speeds on the tools that throw them.
3. Rethink the riding toys. Injury from non-powered scooters is the leading cause of toy-related death, according to the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. Riding toys are also responsible for the majority of injuries among children 14 and under. Most accidents occur when the child falls form the toy, runs into something, or mistakenly wanders out into the street. Look for the age level on the label, make sure the toy is strong and won’t tip over easily, and always supervise young children when allowing them to ride.
4. Nix the noise. Toys that make shrill or loud noises, like toy radios, cars, or cap guns, can damage a child’s hearing. Children like to put these toys up next to their ears, and young eardrums are still developing. Listen to the toy in the store and make sure it’s not too loud.
5. Cut out the cords. Toys that have long cords or strings can be harmful for young children. The cord can get wrapped around baby’s neck, or around his wrist or ankle. Don’t hang toys with strings, cords or ribbons in cribs or playpens. When a child can pull up on his hands and knees, remove any hanging mobile or “crib-gym” toys.