COLUMBUS, Ohio – Moms, dads and grandparents are being reminded to give safe gifts to kids this Christmas season.
December has been declared “Safe Toys and Gifts Month” by Prevent Blindness America
Last year there were 265,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Licking County Health Commissioner Joe Ebel says.
Riding toys and flying toys typically cause the majority of injuries, Ebel said. Choking is also a major problem for babies and toddlers who place small toy parts in their mouth.
The following are tips to consider when purchasing toys for children:
-Check toys for sturdiness and for small parts that may come off and be swallowed. If a part that comes off is so small that it can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for a child under 3.
-Stuffed toys should be washable and made of flame resistant or flame retardant material.
-Crayons and paints should say “ASTM D-4236” on the package. This means they have been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
-Art materials should say, “Non-toxic”.
Avoid toys that shoot or have parts that fly off. BB and pellet guns, bows and arrows, and slingshots are too dangerous for young children.
-Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint.
-Look for safety precautions and warnings on the box. If a toy requires adult supervision, be sure to have the child supervised by an adult when using the toy.
-Inspect all gifts as children open them, if the gifts are from someone outside the family.