With the arrival of the holiday season, I want to remind all of Santa's helpers of the importance of selecting safe toys for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports more than 120,000 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for toy-related injuries. CPSC requires labels to be on all toys marketed for children from 3 years old up to 6 years old if the toys pose a choking hazard to children under age 3. The following tips will help you choose appropriate toys this holiday season.
• Avoid toys with small parts which could pose a fatal choking hazard.
• Avoid electric toys with heating elements or those with sharp, pointy edges for children under age 8.
• Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide.
• Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other potential small parts.
• Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys, as plastic can cause suffocation. By using common sense and these safety suggestions, holiday shoppers can make informed decisions when purchasing toys for children.
Evelyn V. Martinez
Executive Director
First 5 LA
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