12 toy-safety tips of Christmas

12/17/14 LICKING COUNTY, OHIO – As Santa checks his list twice this year for good boys and girls, the Licking County Health Department reminds county residents to check their Christmas shopping list twice as well, for safe toys. Pay close attention when selecting toys and other gifts for children this holiday season, because safe toys are always the best option.
 
The majority of toy related fatalities in 2013 were attributed to asphyxiation or choking. Small parts, such as parts of toy figures, rubber balls, balloons and marbles were often the cause of choking incidents. Additional deaths were caused by riding toys, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
 
One report estimates 188,400 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2013 to children younger than 15; however, many of these accidents were associated with but not necessarily caused directly by the toy, such as a child being stuck by a vehicle while playing on a scooter, according to the CPSC.
 
In true Christmas fashion, here are our “12 toy-safety tips of Christmas” to consider when purchasing toys for children this holiday season – but really year round:
 

1. Check toys for sturdiness and for small parts that may come off and be swallowed. If a part that comes off is so small it can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for a child under the age of three.
2. Stuffed toys should be washable and made of flame resistant or flame retardant material.
3. 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.
4. Art materials should say “non-toxic.”
5. Avoid toys that shoot or have parts that fly off. BB and pellet guns, bows and arrows and slingshots are dangerous for young children.
6. Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint.
7. Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than eight years old.
8. Pay attention to battery chargers and adapters that can cause burn hazards to young children.
9. 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.
10. Inspect all gifts as children open them if the gifts are from someone outside the family to ensure the gift-giver shopped safely, too.
11. Keep in mind when buying gifts to make conscientious decisions based on what is best for the child.
12. And most importantly, make sure the gifts are safe! If they are not safe according to these tips, do not buy them.

For more information visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov, or call the Licking County Health Department at (740) 349-6535.