December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month

December 6, 2011

The Licking County Wellness Coalition reminds us that December has been declared “Safe Toys and Gifts Month” by the nation’s oldest eye health and safety organization, Prevent Blindness America. According to Licking County Health Commissioner, Joe Ebel, “Now is the time to pay close attention to gift selections as they relate to safety. Simply taking the time to think about a gift or a toy that one is going to buy can avoid a problem with safety in the long run.”

Each year in the United States over 170,000 children are seen in emergency rooms for toy related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Riding toys and flying toys cause the majority of injuries. Choking is also a major problem for babies and toddlers who place small toy parts in their mouth.

The following are tips to consider when purchasing toys for children:

• Check toys for sturdiness and for small parts that may come off and be swallowed. If a part that comes off is so small that it can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for a child under 3.

• Stuffed toys should be washable and made of flame resistant or flame retardant material.

• 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.

• Art materials should say, “Non-toxic”.

• Avoid toys that shoot or have parts that fly off. BB and pellet guns, bows and arrows, and slingshots are too dangerous for young children.

• Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint.

• 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.

• Inspect all gifts as children open them, if the gifts are from someone outside the family.

Keep in mind when buying gifts to make conscientious decisions based on what is best for the child. Make sure that the gifts are safe.

For more information visit Prevent Blindness America at www.preventblindness.org or call the Licking County Health Department at (740)349-6535.

Contact Info: Mary Beth Hagstad mhagstad@lickingcohealth.org (740) 349-6685

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