December: Safe Toys & Gifts MonthV Safety Month

Toys are one of the many marvels of childhood, but their safety is oftentimes overlooked. The right toys can help babies and children develop coordination, creativity, imagination and prepare them for future learning. However, there are some toys that can cause as much harm as good. And, as parents and adults, it is our responsibility to make sure the little ones are playing with safe toys.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toy manufacturers to meet stringent safety standards and to label certain toys that could be a hazard for younger children. Regardless of this measure, toy-related injuries send thousands of children to the emergency room each year. Most often, the injured children were playing with toys that weren't appropriate for their age.

Although many toy manufacturers follow the set safety guidelines for their products, some, unfortunately, do not. So, our challenge is to find toys that children will enjoy and that we know are safe.

Following are some suggestions that can help you make the right choice when selecting gifts for children.

Things to take into consideration:

• Age-appropriate: Select toys to suit a child's age, abilities, skills and interest level. Toys that are too advanced can pose safety hazards.
• Small parts: Don't give toys with small parts to infants or toddlers. These youngsters tend to put things in their mouths, which increases the risk of choking.Choking is the most common cause of toy-related deaths.
• Read and pay attention to labels: If there's a warning, there's a reason.
• Look for standards: Look for the letters "ASTM," which indicate a product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
• Hobby kits: Airplace models, chemistry sets and other hobby kits are not appropriate for children younger than 12. And for those old enough, proper supervision is recommended.
• Actionable toys: Avoid toys that shoot or have parts that fly off. Slingshots and high-powered water guns can injure children and BB guns shouldn't be considered toys.
• Stay informed of toy recalls.
• Report a dangerous toy by calling (800) 638-2772, going to https://www.cpsc.gov/incident.html or via mail at: Office of the Clearinghouse, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207
  

http://www.cpsc.gov/