December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month, and with it comes timely reminders for keeping children’s toy safety top of mind.
The following information was listed in an article dated 12/1/14 on www.nj.com entitled, “In northern New Jersey, a plaything priority for the holidays: Keep kids protected.”
“Christmas, the saying goes, is for children — but toy safety is everyone’s responsibility. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 265,000 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2012, the most recent data available. Of those, about one-third involved kids under age 5.
As we observe Safe Toys and Gifts Month, the commission offers the following tips regarding selection and supervision:
- Choose toys with care, keeping the child’s age, interests and skill level in mind.
- Check all toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards.
- To prevent trips and falls, teach children to put toys away safely in designated spots.
New toys for children younger than age 8 should not have sharp glass or metal edges. - The law bans small parts, including removable eyes and noses, for children under age 3.
- Ensure prior to purchase that a toy will not exceed acceptable noise levels.
- Never hang toys with long strings, cords, loops or ribbons in cribs or playpens where infants and very young children can become entangled. Remove crib gyms from the crib when the child can pull up on hands and knees.
- A commission regulation prohibits sharp points in new toys and other articles intended for use by children younger than age 8.
- Do not permit children to play with hobby or sporting equipment with sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips intended to prevent injury.
- Keep toys designed for older children out of the hands of little ones, and teach older children with young siblings to do the same.
- Electric toys must meet mandatory requirements for maximum surface temperature, electrical construction and prominent warning labels.
- Infant toys should be large enough that they cannot enter an infant’s throat.
For more information, call (800) 638-2772 or visit cpsc.gov.”