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(December 1, 2010)   This year, when families are trying to stretch their holiday budgets, it may be more important than ever to focus on sturdy, well-made toys for the children on your gift list. 

Every year more than 200,000 people are treated in emergency rooms across the United States because of toy-related injuries.  Children under the age of five are at especially high risk.  It’s important to make your gift purchases with the age, skills, abilities and interest of the intended child in mind.  Pay attention to labels like ‘non-toxic’ or choking hazard warnings as well as age guidelines.

Please follow and share these tips on shopping for holiday toys:

• Avoid small parts on any toys intended for infants, toddlers or young children. 
  • If the item can fit into a toilet paper roll, then it is too small for a child under three-years-old or any child who still puts toys in their mouth. 
  • Never give small balls (less than 2 inches in diameter) to young children.
  • Don’t give latex or rubber balloons to young children.
• Read the packaging. 
  • Buy toys that are age appropriate, and keep toys intended for older children out of the hands of their younger brothers and sisters. 
  • Look for special labels.  Some toy companies label products as “Guaranteed Non-Toxic and Lead-Free” to assure buyers that the toys are safe.
• Look for high-quality design and construction.  Make sure stuffed animals’ eyes, noses and other small parts are tightly secured. 
• Avoid electrical toys with heating elements for children under the age of 8.
• Avoid sharp edges or points on toys for children under the age of 8, or who live with younger siblings.
• Watch out for toys that are too loud. 
  • Toy guns and loud electronic toys can permanently impair a child’s hearing.
  • Monitor headphone usage to make sure the child doesn’t have the volume too high.  (About 15% of children over the age of 6 have some hearing loss from listening to loud music on headphones.) 
• For very young children – or households with very young children – avoid toys with strings, straps or cords longer than seven inches.  These toys can pose a strangulation hazard.
• Avoid toys that shoot or fire anything other than soft, safe discs, balls or projectiles.
• When giving bicycles, skate boards, sleds, skates, scooters or other active toys, make sure to include the appropriate safety gear such as helmets, elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, safety goggles, etc. 
  • Monitor usage of such toys to ensure that the appropriate safety gear is used each and every time.

 

While the internet has become a great resource for holiday shopping, it’s also important to be careful since sometimes unscrupulous sellers will try to get rid of toys that have been recalled because of safety issues.  Shop from reputable dealers and look for some type of guarantee or return option is the toy is not satisfactory or not as promised.  Warnings that the toys are required to carry may not be visible in the pictures shown on the websites.  Toys in the U.S. are more monitored and regulated than any other country in the world.  Make sure that any internet site you’re using offers toys that meet all U.S. standards.

 

Ask around before purchasing your child the latest electronic gadgetry.  You don’t want to spend several hundred dollars on a piece of equipment that your seven-year-old grandchild will break before a week goes by.  Buy something appropriate for the child’s age and maturity or look for equipment made with younger children in mind.

 

This is also a good time of year to go through your child’s toys and discard any toys that are broken or coming apart.  Toys in great condition can be donated to a charitable organization, but broken, damaged or recalled toys should be discarded.