December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month

This month – the biggest gift-giving month in the world – let’s all participate in Safe Toys and Gifts Month. It’s important to keep safety in mind as we shop for all the little ones in our lives. In addition to safe gift shopping, you can post this blog on social media using #SafeToysAndGiftsMonth to spread the word and raise awareness this December.

Toy-Related Injuries

• Approximately 217,000 children are treated at hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries
• Riding toys are responsible for the majority of toy injuries among children ages 14 and under
• Other causes of toy-related deaths include choking, drowning and suffocation

  Holiday Shopping Safety Tips Before making any purchases for the people on your list this season and throughout the year, make sure to keep safety in mind. We want to keep the holidays a magical time of the year without any trips to the E.R. or emergencies. Follow these 3 important tips to be sure you’re purchasing safe gifts:

1. Inspect the toys before you buy them. Avoid toys with sharp edges or parts that can be easily pulled off. For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
2. Make sure the age and skill level marked on the toy matches the age and skill level of the child you’re buying for.
3. Check toys for the ATSM (American Society for Testing and Materials) label that proves it’s up to standard.

Other safety tips to keep in mind this holiday season:

• Do not give toys with ropes, cords, or that can heat up, and avoid crayons and markers unless they are labeled nontoxic.
• Keep high-powered magnet sets away from children. Building and play sets with small magnets should also be kept away from small children.
• Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than eight years old as they can cause choke or suffocate on deflated or broken balloons. Also discard broken balloons immediately.
• Helmets and safety gear should be worn properly at all times and they should be sized to fit when using riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates.
• After gift opening, immediately discard plastic wrapping or other toy packaging before the wrapping and packaging pose safety issues.
• Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.

  Additional Safety Resources Toy Safety–Injury Statistics and Incidence Rates National Safe Toys and Gifts Month Tips from Child & Family Services Button Battery Safety Quiz