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In just a few days, children will eagerly be opening new toys and other items that have been left by Santa Claus.
And, while Christmas morning can be an exciting time, we remind parents and other adults that not all toys and gifts are safe for all children in all circumstances.
In November, World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. issued its 50th-annual list of the worst toys of the year. Included are items that contain classic toy dangers. Warning signs to watch for include small parts, strings, projectiles, toxic substances, rigid materials and inaccurate warnings and labels. Other safety concerns, according to the group, include toy weaponry with the potential for blunt force impact injuries, plush toys that could lead to infant suffocation, small parts that have the potential for choking, and button batteries, which can cause choking or chemical burn injuries -- reports indicate an estimated 2,800 children are treated for button battery ingestion each year, and many cases result in catastrophic consequences.
It's shocking, the Boston-based organization reported, that these dangers continue to appear. They not only put today's children at risk but, because toys often are handed down to brothers, sisters, cousins and other children, they pose significant risks across generations of children.
The organization, citing data compiled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said there were an estimated 198,000 toy-related injuries in the United States in 2020, and said that a reported 51 children died from toy-related accidents between 2018 and 2020. Another sobering statistic: A child is brought to the emergency room every three minutes for a toy-related injury.
Sadly, vigilance is needed. As W.A.T.C.H. reported, in a 10-month period this year, the safety commission issued 27 toy recalls that affected 1.3 million toys that could lead to serious injuries or death.
According to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, more than 3 billion toys are sold in the United States each year. Its guidelines for purchases include buying age-appropriate toys, reading instructions and warnings, avoiding toys with sharp and rigid points, avoiding toys with small parts that can create a choking hazard and securing batteries firmly.
And, UPMC adds, art materials, including crayons and paint sets, should be marked with the designation "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist.
A great deal of the consumer protection advice we receive during the holidays amounts to common sense --and that needs to apply to other gifts, as well.
Many youngsters, for instance, will receive electronic devices, often Internet-capable, for Christmas. That may make them susceptible to schemes -- some involving money, others creating real danger to the children.
Experts advise steps such as monitoring Internet use by young people, establishing and enforcing rules, warning children not to download anything and ensuring privacy settings for services such as social media are appropriate.
It is all good advice, coming as it does during a time when adults are so eager to make children on our shopping lists happy that we might forget the need to keep them safe from scammers and predators, as well as other dangers that often can present themselves. Following the recommendations will help to make the holiday safer for all involved.