As the holidays and gift giving seasons approach, Carson City Health and Human Services wants to remind you of the importance of choosing safe toys that are appropriate for the age or skill level of who they are given to.
Toys that are mishandled or not appropriate for a certain age or skill level can cause injury and can sometimes lead to death. In 2021, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported over 200,000 toy-related injuries and two deaths in children ages 14 and younger. To bring awareness to this issue, December has been declared National Safe Toys and Gifts Month, which reminds us to look out for kids this holiday season.
Too often, accidents involving children and toys result in eye injuries. Each year, thousands of children, ages 14 and younger, suffer serious eye injuries, even blindness, from toys. Prevent Blindness America has three important ways to protect children’s eyes from injury while playing with toys:
1. Only buy toys meant for their age.
2. Show them how to use their toys safely.
3. Keep an eye on them when they play.
Toy safety starts from the time a toy is chosen. Prevent Blindness America encourages you to follow these guidelines when choosing toys for this holiday season and beyond:
• Inspect all toys before buying or letting a child play with them. Ensure that there are no sharp edges/points on the toy and there are no parts that can be easily broken or pulled apart. Check that the recommended age and skill level are appropriate for the child.
• Look for a label that ensures the toy has passed a safety inspection. If you locate the letters “ASTM,” it means the product met the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
• If gifting a piece of sports equipment, make sure to pair this with the appropriate safety gear. For example, a pair of roller skates should be gifted with a helmet and knee or elbow pads.
• Be aware of lead in toys. Stay up-to-date on recalled toys, be aware of older toys that may contain lead paint, have children wash their hands before and after playing with a toy, and know the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning.
• Avoid giving toys with small parts (especially those with magnets and “button” batteries, which can cause serious injury or death if swallowed), any toys with ropes, cords, or heating elements, and only giving crayons or markers marked as “nontoxic.”
In addition to the tips above, it is recommended to supervise children while playing with toys and to properly store toys after playing to reduce the risk of tripping or falling. Choosing safe toys that are appropriate for a child’s age group and skill level provides a safe playing environment while children play, learn, and develop skills!
To learn more about selecting safe toys this season, visit preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist/.
For information about services and programs available to you through Carson City Health and Human Services, visit gethealthycarsoncity.org, or call 775-887-2190. You can visit the CCHS office at 900 E. Long St. in Carson City or follow CCHS on Facebook at facebook.com/cchhs, X @CCHealthEd, or Instagram @GetHealthCarsonCity.