Released December 4, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. – During the holiday season, parents eagerly purchase the latest trends in holiday toys. With all the toys available, how can you tell if they are safe for your child?
According to Safe Kids USA, every year there are more than 3 billion toys and games sold in the United States; 65 percent of these sales occur between the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“To make toy shopping worry free, shoppers should know what to look for when purchasing toys and practice ideas for safe use,” said Debbie Richardson, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension parenting assistant specialist. “By educating yourself before shopping, problems can be prevented before they occur.”
Parents should consider their child’s age, interests and skill levels when purchasing toys.
Richardson said parents should read product warnings and labels, look for strong construction and avoid those items with pointy and sharp edges.
The Child Safety Protection Act requires “choking hazard” warning labels on the packages of small toys or toys containing small parts that are meant for children ages 3 to 6. The act also bans any toy intended for use by children under the age of 3 that could pose as a choking or ingestion hazard.
These safety tips from Safe Kids USA can help when out shopping for toys:
- With children younger than 3, avoid giving them toys with small parts. These can be a choking hazard.
- When assembling toys, read directions carefully.
- Remove and throw away all packaging from a toy before giving it to a baby or small child.
- Check old and new toys frequently for damages such as sharp edges or small parts. Repairs should be made immediately. Throw away toys that are damaged.
Richardson said another concern for many this year is the millions of toys which were recalled in recent months because of lead paint or magnets.
“It is important to keep in mind the majority of toys are safe,” she said.
To check if a toy is unsafe or to report a toy related injury, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772 or visit online at http://www.cpsc.gov. More information about toy safety is also available at http://www.usa.safekids.org.
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http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/katie.reim-40okstate.edu/shop-for-safe-toys-this-holiday
Contacts: Phil DeVillez, (765) 583-1406, pld@purdue.edu
Julie Douglas, (765) 496-1050, douglajk@purdue.edu
