Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month. This group urges us to make sure the toys we buy suit the age, individual skills, and abilities of the child who will receive it, especially for infants and children younger than three years old.
So, consider the following when choosing safe toys for all ages:
- Inspect the toys before purchasing for pieces that shoot or fly off. Make sure they have no sharp edges or points, and are sturdy enough to withstand various impacts without breaking, or being pulled apart easily.
- Avoid giving toys with ropes, cords, or heating elements.
- Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Make sure they are appropriate for their stage of development, age, and skill level before the child plays with them.
- Look for labels stating that the toy has passed a safety inspection. ATSM means the toy has met the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials.
- Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear, for example, a helmet should come with a skateboard.
- Do not give crayons or markers unless they are labeled, “nontoxic.”
- Keep kids safe from lead in toys by educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, the symptoms of lead poisoning, and what toys may have been recalled.
I know this was a lot, but it is not all. So, for more information , visit www.preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist, or call 800-331-2020.
Be safe. Be successful,
Dr. Kadisha