Posted: 12/13/2017
December marks Toy Safety Month
With the holidays just around the corner many parents are shopping for toys and kids are on their best behavior waiting for the moment they can rip into the meticulously decorated package to see what lies beneath the wrapping. But while new toys can bring tons of smiles, they may also bring safety hazards. During Toy Safety Month this December injury prevention experts at Parkland Health & Hospital System urge adults to keep safety at the top of their shopping list and to think before they buy.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 254,200 toy-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms in 2015, the last year data is available. That year, CPSC received 11 reports of toy-related deaths among children younger than 15. Of those, 41 percent of the emergency department-treated injuries were classified as cuts and bruises and 45 percent of the injuries were to the head and face, the most commonly affected area of the body.
“Keeping safety in mind can be a challenge when shopping because there are many factors to consider,” said Shelli Stephens-Stidham, director of the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas, housed at Parkland.
Stephens-Stidham says adults selecting toys should remember these 10 tips:
• Toys should be appropriate for the child’s age and abilities. Toys that are too advanced may pose safety hazards.
• Battery-operated toys are much safer than those that must be plugged into an electrical outlet, especially for children younger than 10.
• Button batteries and magnets can be potential threats if ingested.
• Remember, other items within a child’s reach may also include button batteries (musical greeting cards, remote controls, hearing aids, small electronics, etc.).
• Children under 3 years of age can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under 3 cannot have parts less than 1-1/4 inches in diameter and 2-1/4 inches long.
• Read all labels carefully. Since they often end up in a child’s mouth, select toys that are washable or include the words “non-toxic” on the label.
• Strings and ribbons pose a strangulation hazard for small children. Adults should remove them from toys.
• Avoid toys with sharp points and edges.
• Read all instructions carefully before buying the toy.
• Be mindful of boxes and other packaging that comes with the toy. Make sure metal fasteners and tape are removed, as well as all plastic bags and wrap that could lead to suffocation.
“It’s important to remember that not only can toys themselves be a threat, but their packaging and even their batteries can be extremely dangerous,” Stephens-Stidham said.
Cristina Thomas, public health education manager with the North Texas Poison Center located at Parkland, agrees.
“When choosing battery-powered toys for the kids, tools, gadgets or decorations, always look at the battery compartment and make sure the batteries are tightly secured with screws,” she said.
Thomas recommends adults check all household devices to be certain battery compartments are secured.
“Batteries are everywhere. If you think a child may have swallowed a button battery, call your local poison center immediately,” she said, noting that besides being stuck in the esophagus, the saliva triggers an electric current which causes a chemical reaction that can severely burn the esophagus in as little as two hours.
Nationally, 55 poison centers provide service to all 50 states. Anyone who needs assistance anywhere in the country can dial the toll-free number 1-800-222-1222 and be connected to one of the centers.
“This time of year can be an opportunity to teach everyone in your household about toy safety and injury prevention,” Stephens-Stidham said. “Having this information handy and following these simple tips can save lives.”
Texas residents can visit www.poisoncontrol.org for more information about poisonings, including the hazards of button batteries. For more information on services at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com.