Black Friday is just around the corner with lots of great deals and toys being bought. Toy-related injuries and deaths continue to impact thousands of children in the United States each year: CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) reports that in 2020, there were nearly 150,000 toy-related, emergency department-treated injuries and nine deaths among children ages 14 and younger, with most of these deaths associated with choking on small parts of toys. Nonmotorized scooters account for 21 percent of all toy-related, emergency department-treated injuries.
When searching for the perfect give, consider the following items.
-Follow age guidance and other safety information on the toy packaging and choose toys that match each child's interests and abilities.
-Get safety gear, including helmets, for scooters and other riding toys – and make sure that children use them every time.
-Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3 and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than age 8.
Online shopping for toys or other products continues to be a popular and convenient alternative to visiting brick and mortar stores, it is important that people follow these safety tips:
-Always buy from stores and online retailers you know and trust.
-To avoid counterfeits, scrutinize the product, the packaging, and the label. If the price seems too good to be true, this could be a sign that the product is counterfeit.
-Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization and the
Make this a very, merry and safe holiday season!
