Toys can be very important to children. They can help them learn, provide hours of entertainment or even become a source of comfort. Parents need to be choosy when it comes to the toys they buy, given how meaningful they could be to a child. Below, we’ll go over a few tips on what parents should check for before giving a toy to their child.
First, why is being choosy so important? The main concern is safety. Kids of all ages get hurt now and then. That being said, toys are linked to a significant number of injuries every year. In 2021 alone, more than 200,000 children were treated for toy-related injuries in a U.S. hospital’s emergency department. The majority of these injuries were lacerations and were treated and released the same day. However, some were serious enough for the youngster to be admitted for treatment or transferred to a more qualified hospital. A few even resulted in death.
There are many ways children could be hurt by toys. They may swallow lithium coin batteries, button batteries or high-powered magnets, which can be very dangerous when ingested. They might insert small objects in their noses, mouths or ears and get them stuck or cause them to choke. Some toys with strings or cords could cause strangulation. For infants, certain toys such as stuffed animals could cause suffocation if left in the crib.
The first step in avoiding these harms is to read the package carefully. On it there should be manufacturer’s recommendations, instructions and other helpful information. Parents, as well as those buying a gift for a child, should follow the age recommendation for the toy. While every child is different, these guidelines are based on extensive testing to determine the expected developmental stage. Children who are younger than the minimum age may not be suited for it due to the skills needed to operate it. Not only does this cause a safety concern, but it may also mean they’re uninterested in the toy because it’s too advanced.
In addition to age recommendations, it’s vital to pay close attention to any warnings and instructions on the package. That way, the toy is assembled and played with properly. The label should also say “non-toxic” and have American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) certification. Parents must be wary of recalled toys as well. If injured by a defective toy, parents should reach out to an injury law firm for support.
Another sage piece of advice is to mind the size of the toy and all its parts. Small toys can become choking hazards since little ones love to chew or otherwise put objects into their mouths. Avoid this by making sure these objects are larger than the child’s mouth. Loud toys should also be avoided, as they could damage hearing development.
These are just a few of the concerns parents should heed. If you want more tips on toy safety, please see the accompanying resource to learn more.
Infographic Provided By bicycle accident lawyers Florida Company, Scott Marshall Injury Attorney
