[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/10\/small-toys-big-injuries\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/10\/small-toys-big-injuries\/","headline":"Tips for Holiday Toy Safety","name":"Tips for Holiday Toy Safety","description":"It’s important to think about safety as well as fun when buying toys for your children. Making sure toys are appropriate for your child’s age and maturity level can help ensure a safe and happy holiday season. The holiday season is a prime time for toy purchases in the United States. About half of toy […]","datePublished":"2017-10-09","dateModified":"2022-12-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Little-boy.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Little-boy.jpeg","height":339,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/10\/small-toys-big-injuries\/","about":["Pediatrics"],"wordCount":618,"articleBody":"It’s important to think about safety as well as fun when buying toys for your children. Making sure toys are appropriate for your child’s age and maturity level can help ensure a safe and happy holiday season.The holiday season is a prime time for toy purchases in the United States. About half of toy purchases in the U.S. occur during the holiday season, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). But injuries \u2014 and even deaths \u2014 are possible from toys that are inappropriate for children.Below, find tips to keep in mind when doing your holiday toy shopping.Toy Injury StatisticsAccording to the CPSC, toy-related Emergency Department visits dropped between 2014 and 2021. But toys still cause hundreds of thousands of injuries each year.The CPSC reported toy-related injuries resulted in more than 206,000 trips to the Emergency Department in 2021. More than one-third of toy-related injuries were in children 4 and under.Two children died from toy-related causes in 2021, the CPSC reported.If you buy secondhand toys or receive hand-me-down toys, visit\u00a0www.cpsc.gov\u00a0to make sure the toy hasn’t been recalled for safety reasons. Used toys also should be in good condition with all original parts and packaging, if possible. If a new toy comes with a product registration card, mail it in so the manufacturer can contact you if the item is ever recalled.Toy Safety TipsConsider the following safety tips when getting toys for your child.Consider your child’s age\u00a0when purchasing a toy or game. It’s worth a second to read the instructions and warning labels to make sure it’s right for your child.Think about choking hazards, especially for young children. The CSPC recommends keeping small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3 and keeping deflated balloons away from children younger than age 8.Once presents are open,\u00a0discard plastic wrapping and other packaging\u00a0right away to avoid injury.Keep a special eye on small game pieces\u00a0that may be a choking hazard for young children. While these kinds of games are great for older kids, they can pose a potential danger for younger, curious siblings.After playtime is over,\u00a0use a bin or container\u00a0to store toys for next time. Make sure there are no holes or hinges that could catch little fingers.Keep button battery-controlled devices out of sight and out of reach of children. These include remote controls, singing greeting cards, digital scales, watches, hearing aids, thermometers, children’s toys, calculators, key fobs, tea-light candles, and flashing holiday jewelry or decorations.Buy helmets and other safety equipment\u00a0for bicycles, scooters, and other riding toys \u2014 and make sure your child wears them every time. According to CPSC statistics, non-motorized scooters were associated with the largest number of toy-related injuries in 2021. If you’re getting scooters, bikes, roller skates, skateboards, and other riding toys, buy a helmet and other gear to keep your child safe.Stay informed about harmful products\u00a0already on the market. Safe Kids Worldwide tracks product recalls and sends monthly email updates about recalls. You can\u00a0sign up for its newsletter online.Give kids\u00a0constant supervision around all toys. Even toys that are appropriate for your child’s age and maturity can become dangerous in the wrong circumstances. It’s important to watch your children \u2014 especially young children \u2014 as they’re playing to make sure they avoid injury.Above all, the holiday season is supposed to be fun \u2014 but it’s just as important to keep your family safe.At UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, we’re here for your child 365 days a year. For more on the services we offer throughout our communities,\u00a0visit our website."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"10","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/10\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Tips for Holiday Toy Safety","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/10\/small-toys-big-injuries\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]