choosingsafetoysdec08

Choosing the Safest Toys

For adults, the holidays are a time to reflect and give thanks. But for many children, the focus is on giving and receiving gifts – TOYS!! Safety has become an important issue in toy selection and may play a large role in the gift you choose to buy for the special child in your life. First and foremost, consider the age and skill level of the child for whom you are selecting the gift. Most manufacturers take safety into consideration when developing age appropriate recommendations for their products so always check the packaging for this information. There are a few key safety hazards to be mindful of as you do your holiday shopping:

1. Choking – Check the product for small or removable parts as they pose a choking hazard for young children. Something as innocent as the small plastic eyeball of a stuffed animal can be dangerous for children under three years old.
2. Fire – Always check the packages of clothing, bedding and toys for the words “flame retardant” or “flame resistant”. These products are made from materials that will resist catching fire, which could protect your child from severe injury. You should never purchase any product labeled “flammable” for a child.
3. Strangulation – Look for cords or ropes that may be packaged with the product. If it is long enough to be wrapped around the child’s neck, it could cause strangulation and should be considered extremely dangerous. Also, be sure not to hang anything from a child’s crib or playpen as he/she could get tangled up in it, causing serious injury.
4. Noise – Children are drawn to toys that make noise, however, some roducts may produce sounds that can damage children’s hearing. Such products are required to have a warning label, so be sure to read the packages carefully. Feel free to push the “TRY ME” button on toys in the store.
5. Punctures – Inspect toys for glass, metal or plastic parts that might have sharp edges as these could scratch the child or cause serious eye or ear injuries. Arrows or darts should have soft suction cups tips, not points. Toys that are meant to “launch” may be extremely dangerous and children should always be supervised while playing with them.

Although there are Consumer Product Safety Laws in place to protect our children, it is important to be careful about what products we select for them. Do your research ahead of time so that you can tell your friends and family what toys and games they can safely purchase for your child. Or better yet, start a gift registry for your child and let your family and friends choose which toy they’d like to get! It is a great way to make sure your child will be safe and a great way for your friends and family to get something that your child will really want!

Liz Pickett is the perinatal health educator for Maternal-Infant Services etwork (MISN) of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties, a not-for-profit organization that coordinates health and human services for pregnant women and children. If your child needs health insurance, please visit our website at www.misn-ny.org or call 1-800-453-4666 for more information