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Shopping with safety in mind
By Jason E. Silvers
The Fort Scott Tribune
As the nation heads into the busiest toy-buying season of the year, parents and caregivers are reminded to practice careful shopping to avoid products that could potentially be dangerous to children.
According to the Safe Kids Kansas organization, more than 65 percent of the toys bought in the United States will be purchased between Black Friday and Christmas. Because millions of toys will be recalled due to containing dangerous lead paint and magnets, toy shoppers need to remember that number is only a small fraction of the overall number of toys -- about three billion -- sold in the U.S. each year.
"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, according to Safe Kids Kansas.
To stay informed, Stegelman said she recommends that parents sign up for e-mails that will keep them up-to-date on product recalls.
"If you get emails each time a recall happens, you'll have everything up-to-the-minute and won't need to worry about missing anything," she said.
Parents and caregivers should also not hesitate to report any product defects or design features that appear dangerous, Stegelman said.
"If your child has a close call, the next child might not be so lucky," she said. "Report safety concerns about toys to the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov. Your experience could be part of a pattern that might lead to a recall."
To sign up for recall emails, visit the CPSC online at www.cpsc.gov.
Stegelman is also reminding parents that most toys are safe, especially toys that are 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. And avoid using toys which could have been recalled and not removed from circulation."
Stegelman added, "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 the following precautions for shoppers who plan to purchase toys this holiday season:
* 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 3 years of age, or allow a child under 3 years of age 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 sure of a toy's size, use a small parts tester or the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper to identify choking hazards. Don't let small children play with anything that can fit into one of these cylinders.
* Buy the proper safety gear. Shoppers who purchase a riding toy such as a scooter, skateboard, in-line skates or bicycle, should remember that the gift isn't complete without a helmet and proper 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. Don't 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 with a child is not necessarily supervising. Active supervision means the parent or caregiver is giving the child his or her undivided attention, and keeping the child in sight and in reach at all times.
* Practice proper storage. Teach children to put toys away after playing to help prevent falls and unsupervised play, and make sure toys intended for younger children are stored separately from those toys meant 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.
For more information about toy safety, visit www.usa.safekids.org.