Toy Safety Month

Toy Safety Month is here. December is National Gift and Toy Safety Month, a crucial awareness campaign during the peak holiday season to remind parents, caregivers, and gift-givers to choose age-appropriate toys, check for safety certifications, avoid hazards like small parts, sharp edges, and long cords, and ensure gifts promote a safe, healthy playtime for children. Organizations like the American Public Health Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) promote this observance to prevent thousands of toy-related injuries and deaths annually. 

Key Tips for Toy Safety (Especially in December):

• Age Appropriateness: Always check the label for recommended age ranges and consider the child’s individual skills.
• Choking Hazards: Avoid toys with small parts for children under three; these are major causes of injury.
• Sharp Points/Edges: Inspect for sharp edges or parts that can fly off.
• Cords & Strings: Steer clear of toys with ropes, cords, or strings longer than 12 inches for young children.
• Batteries & Magnets: Be cautious with button batteries and small, powerful magnets, which are dangerous if swallowed.
• Material & Durability: Look for sturdy toys and avoid materials with lead or harmful chemicals, checking for safety seals like ASTM.
• Protective Gear: Gift sports equipment with the necessary helmet and pads.

Further Gift Considerations

This holiday season (and beyond), please consider the following Toy Safety guidelines:

• Inspect all toys before purchasing. Avoid those that shoot or include parts that fly off. Avoid toys with sharp edges or points. Toys should be sturdy enough to withstand impact without breaking, being crushed, or being pulled apart easily.
• Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Check recommended age, skill level, and developmental appropriateness before gifting.
• Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection – “ATSM” means the toy has met the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
• Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (give a helmet with the skateboard)
• Keep kids safe from lead in toys by: Educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, symptoms of lead poisoning, and what kinds of toys have been recalled; being aware that old toys may be more likely to contain lead in the paint; having your children wash their hands frequently and calling your doctor if you suspect your child has been exposed to lead. Consult the last two websites listed below for more information.
• Give only crayons and markers labeled nontoxic.
• Do NOT give toys with ropes and cords or heating elements.
• Do NOT give toys with small parts (including magnets and “button” batteries which can cause serious injury or death if ingested) to young children as they tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the piece can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for kids under age three.

To sum up

Toy safety considerations is best way to help avoid potential dangers. Planning before gift giving ensures a safer holiday season.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans injured in winter driving accents for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: American Public Health Association; The Toy Association

Image Source: Love To Know