Tips for finding, buying safe toys

With more than 65 percent of the toys bought in the United States between the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas, parents and caregivers are heading into the country's busiest toy-buying season, according to a statement from the Safe Kids Kansas organization.

But with millions of toys being recalled because of dangerous lead paint and magnets, toy shoppers need to remember that the 65 percent figure is a small fraction of the overall number of toys -- about three billion -- sold in the U.S. every year, the statement said.

"Shoppers need to be even more informed than usual to make sure they buy safe, age-appropriate toys," Safe Kids Kansas Coordinator Jan Stegelman said. "Even though most toys in the U.S. today are considered to be safe, it doesn't mean we should throw caution to the wind."

Each year, about 217,000 toy-related injuries are treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide. But on average, only 15 children under 14 years of age die from a toy-related injury, the Safe Kids statement said.

To stay informed, Stegelman recommends that parents sign up for e-mails that will keep them up-to-date on recalls.

"It's too difficult to get your information piecemeal from TV or the newspaper," Stegelman said. "So if you get the e-mails sent to you each time a recall happens, you'll be up-to-the-minute and won't have to worry."

To sign up for recall e-mails, visit www.cpsc.gov on the Internet and click on Sign up for E-mail Announcements.

Parents and caregivers shouldn't hesitate to report defects or design features that seem dangerous.

"If your child has a close call, the next child might not be so lucky," Stegelman said.

Safety concerns about toys should be reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772, or online at www.cpsc.gov, Stegelman said.

"Your experience could be part of a pattern that might lead to a recall," she said.

Stegelman reminds parents that most toys are safe, especially if purchased from a reputable retailer.

"That doesn't mean you have to go to a 'big box' store, but if you shop a locally-owned toy store, make sure that the owner is aware and vigilant about getting recalled items off the shelves," Stegelman said. "And avoid used toys which could have been recalled and not removed from circulation. If you buy toys secondhand or get hand-me-downs, visit www.cpsc.gov to make sure the toy hasn't been recalled for safety reasons. If a new toy comes with a product registration card, mail it in right away so the manufacturer can contact you if the item is ever recalled."

Safe Kids Kansas also recommends shoppers to take the following precautions:

* Make sure to buy age-appropriate toys. All toys are clearly marked if they have small parts; do not buy toys with small parts for children younger than three years of age, or allow a child under 3 to play with those kinds of toys belonging to an older sibling. Avoid building sets with small magnets for children under 6 years of age.

* Identify dangerous small parts. To be of a toy's size, use a small parts tester (available in quantity from the Safe Kids Resource Catalog) or the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper to identify choking hazards. Do not let small children play with anything that can fit into one of these cylinders.

* Buy the appropriate safety gear. If a riding toy is purchased, such as a scooter, skateboard, in-line skates or bicycle, remember that the gift isn't complete without a helmet and appropriate protective gear. Riding toys should not be used near vehicle traffic, stairs, swimming pools or bodies of water.

* Inspect toys to make sure they are in good repair. Check children's play areas for missing or dislodged parts (such as magnets). Do not let young children play with toys that have straps, cords or strings longer than seven inches, due to the risk of strangulation.

* Actively supervise children. Caregivers should actively supervise children playing with any toy that has small parts, moving parts, electrical or battery power, cords, wheels or any other potentially risky component. Simply being in the same room as your child is not necessarily supervising. Active supervision means keeping the child in sight and in reach and paying undivided attention.

* Practice proper storage. Teach children to put toys away after playing to help prevent fall and unsupervised play, and make sure toys intended for younger children are stored separately from those for older children. Toy chests should be equipped or retrofitted with safety hinges that prevent the lid from closing on a child who is leaning over the open chest; if a chest does not have safety hinges, remove the lid.

The Safe Kids Kansas statement also said that Stegelman and U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, D-Kansas, will discuss toy safety issues and also provide demonstrations on toy safety during a press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave.

For more information about toy safety, protective equipment and choking, visit www.usa.safekids.org on the Internet.