(Article Courtesy of Prevent Blindness)

Help Keep the Holidays Merry and Bright by Giving Safe Toys and Gifts to Children This Year.  Prevent Blindness America Offers Tips on Ways to Protect Children

CHICAGO (Nov. 23, 2009) – To boost sales, retailers are already starting their holiday sales and specials.  But sometimes the best deal may not be the safest.  As shoppers begin to purchase toys and gifts for children, they need to mindful of what gift is the safest, especially for younger children.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were an estimated 235,300 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms across the country.  Most of the injuries were to the head and face and consisted of lacerations, contusions or abrasions.  And, 73 percent of the toy-related injuries reported were to children ages 14 and younger.

Although toy safety regulations and enforcement have been improved, the CPSC has had 38 toy recalls in 2009 alone.  That is why Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety organization, has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Month.  The group is offering toy-buying and gift-giving tips to all those planning to purchase a gift for a child this year.   

“We know that families are being more budget conscious this holiday season and we want to make sure the money we do spend is spent wisely,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America.  “We hope that everyone takes just a moment to really think about the gifts they are buying and make sure they are appropriate for a child’s age and development level.”

Prevent Blindness America suggests the following: 

• Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.

• Inspect all toys as much as possible before taking them out of the box.  Once opened, go through each part of the toy to make sure there are no small parts that could be choking hazards or sharp edges.

• Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off. BB guns and air guns should not even be considered toys.  Flying toys caused 9,600 injuries in 2008.

• Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles, a baseball with a batting helmet with a face shield).  In fact, 90 percent of all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented by using the appropriate eye protection.

• Educate yourself on what products have been recalled.  Contact the CPSC at (800) 638-2772 or go to www.cpsc.gov.

• Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.  Closely monitor all activities to make sure smaller children do not have access to toys that are not at their age-appropriate level.

• Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.  Dispose of plastic wrapping material immediately on toys as they may have sharp edges.

• Never give toys with small parts to young children.  If a part of a toy can fit inside a toilet paper roll, the toy is considered a choking hazard and is not appropriate for children under the age of 3. 

For more information on safe toys and gifts, please visit Prevent Blindness America at preventblindness.org or call (800) 331-2020.

Article Link: http://www.preventblindness.org/news/releases/112309_1.html