Mega Doctor News
With the holiday season officially in full swing, thousands are shopping in store and online for the perfect presents to give their loved ones, including toys for children of all ages.
But it’s important to keep toy safety in mind during this season of giving to ensure everyone, especially youngsters, play safely. Parents and caregivers must take steps to facilitate safe gift-giving by ensuring toys they buy for kids are age appropriate and safe.
Last year, an estimated 154,700 children 12 years and younger were treated in emergency rooms across the country due to toy-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Among those injuries, lacerations were the most common for children of all ages, with fractures being the second most common type.
Aside from lacerations and fractures, choking on small parts of toy sets also accounted for many toy-related injuries, as well as ingestion of items like water beads.
So, to ensure children are safe when playing with their new toys this holiday season, South Texas Health System Children’s is offering the following safety tips to help parents make smart choices when shopping for gifts for their kids:
Consider age-appropriate gifts: Follow age guidance and other safety information on toy packaging. Choose toys that match each child’s interests and abilities.
Inspect toys before buying: Look for sharp points, edges and parts that can fly off. Parents should also check for durability should a child try to break, crush or pull toys apart.
Avoid gifting toys that could be a potential hazard: Do not gift toys with ropes, cords or heating elements. Also avoid gifting small toys with removable magnets or button batteries as these may cause serious injury and can even be deadly if ingested.
Ensure additional safety measures for gifts that require them: Get safety gear, including helmets, for scooters and other riding toys. Make sure children utilize these safety measures every time they use them.
Be mindful of small parts: Keep toys with small parts away from children younger than age three. Look for choking hazard warnings on the packaging of these products.
Discard wrapping: Once the gifts are open, parents should immediately dispose of plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys before they become dangerous playthings.
STHS Children’s is dedicated to keeping kids safe and healthy. While the holiday season is intended to be a time to gather and celebrate the traditions of the season, adhering to these safety tips will help ensure children can enjoy the season and their gifts safely.
Always remember to watch children, particularly young kids, when they are playing with toys. If an emergency arises, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
STHS Children’s is home to the largest dedicated pediatric ER in the Rio Grande Valley. Open 24/7, the STHS Children’s ER provides specialized emergency care just for kids, with specially trained pediatric emergency personnel working quickly and efficiently to care for your child. For more information on STHS Children’s and the services offered, visit https://www.southtexashealthsystemchildrens.com/.
