11/16/00
The holiday season has arrived; whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, gift giving (especially to children) is often part of the celebration. In order to make sure this remains a “most wonderful time of the year,” the Central Connecticut Health District is reminding people to keep safety in mind when purchasing gifts for children.
Fortunately, thanks to the cooperation of the government and the toy industry, toys are one of the most closely monitored and regulated products on the market. But even with numerous safety tests administered before a product is marketed, an accident may still occur. So the parents and other adults responsible for caring for children must be “safety experts” and remain vigilant. Adults should not only purchase age-appropriate toys for children, but they need to read all instructions carefully and make sure both they and the children understand them.
Adults who are purchasing toys for children should remember to match the toy to the child’s abilities. The manufacturer’s age recommendations are helpful guidelines for this. A toy that is too advanced or too simple for a particular child may be misused and cause injury. Consumers should also look for sturdy toy construction to reduce the likelihood that a toy will break into small pieces, examine it for sharp edges, and look for possible strangulation hazards. If you are unsure of a toy’s durability or safety, do not buy it.
Although toys with small parts, small balls, and marbles are banned for sale if intended for children under age 3, children have still choked on toys that pass the choke tube safety test, and children as old as 5 have choked on marbles and small objects. If you know a child that puts things in his or her mouth, no matter what the age, a good rule of thumb is to avoid buying toys that are smaller than the child’s fist. AND WATCH OUT FOR BALLOONS! Balloons are THE leading toy killer. They should not be used without adult supervision; whether inflated or not, if a balloon bursts while a child is blowing it up, it could be inhaled.
In addition to the age label found on products, gift-givers should also look for cautionary labels that may be present. Warnings are printed on electrically operated toys that have heating elements, science kits that may contain toxic chemicals, craft kits that may include toxic substances and sharp objects such as needles and scissors, and swim aids that are not life-saving devices.
Some points to keep in mind when purchasing toys this season include:
- Inspect toys for sharp points or edges that can cut or stab
the child or another person.
- Be certain that toys that are propelled through the air, such
as darts and arrows, have blunt tips. Check to be sure that
tips are attached securely to shafts.
- Do not purchase electric toys for children under the age of
8; check for any loose, broken, or exposed wires.
- When buying bicycles, scooters, in-line skates, or other
sporting equipment, be sure to purchase the appropriate
protective gear (such as helmets and pads) to keep the user safe .
- Avoid buying toys with long strings that can pose a strangulation
hazard.
- Never purchase toys with small, removable parts for children
under the age of 3; these can be a choking hazard.
- Try to avoid buying toys that produce loud noises; they can
permanently harm a child’s hearing.
- Look for the words “machine/surface washable” on stuffed
and cloth toys.
- Be certain that stuffed animals are well-sewn and all
decorations (eyes, noses, buttons, ribbons) are securely
fastened and cannot be bitten or pulled off.
- Be on the alert for flammable materials and watch for toxic substances, especially in make-up kits, craft kits, and science toys.
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By being a wise shopper, you can help to protect the children on your holiday list from accidental injury. According to Connecticut Safe Kids, 142,700 toy-related injuries occurred in children 14 years of age and younger in 1992. Don’t let the little ones in your life become another statistic. Pay attention to the age recommendations for children printed on the toy, and carefully inspect the item to make sure the youngest people on your list have a safe and happy holiday.